HC Deb 18 November 2003 vol 413 c743W
Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will press mobile phone companies to standardise practice in notifying customers of unusually high mobile phone usage patterns. [138604]

Mr. Timms

This is a contractual matter between the mobile network operating companies and their customers. The Department is aware that certain operators follow this procedure but it has no current plans to press all to introduce a standardised practice.

Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research her Department has conducted on the number of mobile phone customers who receive bills for mobile phone charges incurred by thieves before the customers knew that their phone had been stolen. [138605]

Mr. Timms

None.

Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from consumer bodies about mobile phone fraud arising when SIM cards are stolen after consumers have ceased using a SIM card but not cancelled the contract for that SIM. [138608]

Mr. Timms

None.

Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will require mobile phone operators to present charging structures in a standardised format, similar to the credit card industry's Honesty Box scheme. [138615]

Mr. Timms

The Department encourages clarity and transparency in billing arrangements, but has no plans at present to impose further requirements. I welcome steps taken by the mobile network operators to simplify their pricing structures for customers.