§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to give ICSTIS further powers to regulate the establishment and prices charged for premium rate phone lines. [149886]
§ Ms HewittThe regulation of Premium Rate Services (PRS) lines is a matter for the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) and The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS). ICSTIS effectively supervises and enforces Codes of Practice which concern the establishment and running of PRS including provisions relating to pricing information. The provisions of the Code in relation to live conversation services are underpinned by a condition in network operators licences which is enforceable by Oftel. Following consultation in 1999–2000, Oftel drew up a statement proposing measures to strengthen the regulatory regime through statutory underpinning of a Code applying to most PRS, not just live services.