Skip to main content

Proceeding contribution from Damian Hinds (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 1 December 2011. It occurred during Backbench debate on Debt Advice and Debt Management.


Debt Advice and Debt Management

Indeed. Remarkably, the hon. Lady might even discover that such texts seem to come from the Government on occasion. For the avoidance of doubt, let me state that they do not. Those are the sorts of tricks and ploys that are played, with a lot of subtle suggestions without saying anything. We probably know people who are not generally credulous who, from time to time, receive such a thing and take it as genuine. I apologise for being almost boring in the extent to which I am going to agree with all previous speakers—[Hon. Members: ““No!””] You are too kind. There is a remarkable degree of consensus among Members from all parties. Cold calling and canvassing for such businesses have no place in a responsible marketplace. The front-loading of fees sets apart the true interests of the customer and the provider. Although banning it might be excessive, we need to get rid of the front-loading and ensure that the operator has an incentive to see the individual through to financial security. Finally, on search marketing and the extent to which people are actively searching for debt advice rather than being bombarded with marketing messages, I do not think we need to wait for a law or new regulation. There is only one substantial operator in that market. It is called Google and I am sure it has a corporate social responsibility department. I hope that it will read the transcript of the debate and take it on itself to ensure that that although it will suffer some diminution in pay-per-click marketing fees, it can put free, respected and valued debt advice services at the very top of the list of the results when people search.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
536 c1174-5 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Debts Advisory services Insolvency
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk