§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he has received any representations from the public about companies selling goods or services over the telephone; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he has been notified by companies or organisations engaged in telephone sales promotion of their intention to achieve self regulation by adopting a code of conduct; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FletcherI receive a number of complaints from the public about companies selling goods and services over the telephone.
I have received no approaches on this matter from companies or organisations engaged in telephone sales promotion. However, following his report on "Selling by Telephone" which was published in October 1984, the Director General of Fair Trading is encouraging the adoption of new guidelines by all firms responsible for initiating or making unsolicited telephone approaches to consumers. I endorse this self-regulatory approach.