§ Dan NorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce measures to protect(a) the elderly (b) people with mental health problems and (c) mentally disabled people from the impact of unsolicited direct mail. [77668]
§ Dr. HowellsThe draft Regulations implementing the Distance Selling Directive will provide a mechanism under which consumers can object to receiving unsolicited direct mail in connection with distance contracts, that is one where consumer and supplier do not have face to face contact up to and including the moment when the contract is concluded.
My Department is committed to developing a strategy which offers consumers, especially older and vulnerable people in our society, the protection they need to ensure that they receive fair treatment and that they know about their rights. I will therefore seek to ensure that we explain clearly to consumers, especially the vulnerable, how they can object to receiving unsolicited direct mail.
§ Dan NorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he will take to regulate unsolicited direct mail sent to individuals' homes. [77669]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Department will be issuing in the summer a draft of Regulations to implement the EU Distance Selling Directive (97/7/EC). The Directive requires, among other things, that unsolicited direct mail in connection with distance contracts, that is one where consumer and supplier do not have face to face contact up to and including the moment when the contract is concluded, may be used only where there is no clear objection from the consumer. Thus consumers must have the right to register their objection to receiving such mail and have their objection respected. Member States have to implement the Directive by 4 June 2000. The Department is consulting widely over the best means of implementing the Directive.