Written question asked by Andrew Hunter (Conservative) on Thursday, 4 May 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 May 2000. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 May 2000 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, if he will take measures to ensure that ex-directory telephone numbers are not commercially available;and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take measures to ensure that ex-directory telephone numbers are not commercially available;and if he will make a statement. [121350] Ms Hewitt: The formulation and enforcement of policy on the privacy of ex-directory telecoms customers are matters for the Data Protection Commissioner and Oftel. It is important to note that being an ex-directory customer does not guarantee that unsolicited calls will never be received. Ex-directory status means that a number will never be quoted or called up by BT's or any other telecoms company's directory inquiries operators nor will details of the customer be listed in the Phonebook. However, telemarketing companies can use other sources of information to contact people. These sources may contain information given by customers completing coupons for special offers, magazine and catalogue tear-off slips and other promotional questionnaires and flyers where the customer has not specified that such information is not to be disclosed.

Secondary information