Written question asked by Anne Moffat (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 March 2005. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 March 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans her Department has to combat silent telephone calls by commercial power diallers.

Answer: Anne Picking: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans her Department has to combat silent telephone calls by commercial power diallers. [207767] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Communications Act 2003 confers powers on the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to regulate forms of behaviour, which fall within the Act's definition of persistent misuse of an electronic communications network or service. Unsolicited silent calls are an example of behaviour which might represent persistent misuse. The department is in close contact with Ofcom which is in contact with relevant trade bodies.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c225W;432 c223W; 207767
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Misuse Ofcom Telecommunications Regulation Telephones Unsolicited goods and services
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk