§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her policy towards the regulation of home worker schemes which require non-returnable registration fees; and if she will make a statement. [42686]
§ Mr. Ian McCartney[holding answer 19 May 1998]People should never send money in advance for work at home. I have this week launched a publicity campaign to warn against the risks of falling victim to homeworking scams. Responsibility for investigating complaints about the promotion of such schemes lies with the Advertising Standards Authority. The British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion contain specific requirements for homeworking schemes and breaches of the codes in this respect are taken very seriously.