Ex-directory Telephone Numbers

HL Deb 23 October 2003 vol 653 c190WA

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the "comprehensive directory" specified in paragraph 2 of the Electronic Communications (Universal Service) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1904) will include telephone numbers hitherto ex-directory. [HL4691]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The comprehensive directory specified will not include telephone numbers hitherto ex-directory unless the ex-directory telephone subscriber specifically requests it. This is because subscribers have, and will continue to have into the future, the right to be ex-directory, under the Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999, which will be replaced on 11 December 2003 by the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003.