§ Ms. MowlamTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in the creation of the charterline telephone advice service.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI have today appointed consultants Price Waterhouse to develop a pilot charterline service. The pilot will be launched early in 1993; if successful, it will be extended to cover all public services nationwide.
Our market research shows strong public demand for charterline. People often find it difficult to make complaints, or seek information, about public services. They need up-to-date and reliable information on the services available, and on how to complain if things go wrong. Charterline will provide details of the citizens charter and published statements of service standards; contact numbers to help people find out more about public services; and contact numbers for making complaints.
981WCharterline will also link in with existing telephone helplines, and other sources of help such as the ombudsmen.