§ Mr. Gwilym JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he has given to the establishment of a register to combat the problem of unsolicited telephone selling; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe branch systems general licence issued under the Telecommunications Act 1984 provides for the establishment of a register on which people who do not wish to receive unsolicited telephone sales calls can place their numbers. Once this register is in place, anyone who makes such a call to a number on the list will be in breach of the licence, and ultimately the Director General of Telecommunications can remove the right to operate under the licence from persistent offenders, making them unable to use their telephone systems. Oftel is discussing the arrangements for the register with interested parties and will issue a press notice as soon as the scheme is ready to be launched.