§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to discourage charities from using premium telephone line charges. [86217]
§ Mr. WillsThe Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) has responsibility for regulating premium rate services. ICSTIS enforces an effective Code of Practice which has provisions to ensure that consumers are given adequate information to enable them to take informed decisions about the use of premium rate services. The Code ensures that the costs of calls to premium rate charitable promotions must be given in advertisements and ensures the caller is aware of the name of the beneficiary. I am confident in the effectiveness of ICSTIS to regulate the premium rate services market for charitable promotions.