John Hemming MP - Ofcom delays on phone nuisance/Silent Calls slammed

6.02.11pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 29th Sep 2005

Speaking on the morning of Tuesday 29th September 2005 at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, as part of the call centre conference, John Hemming MP said "It is sad that Ofcom have decided to delay action to stop silent calls by another month. They had promised action in October and are now saying people will have to wait until November."

"Lets put this into perspective. One million people have registered themselves on a special list to say they never want silent calls. 10 Million people have registered on the Telephone Preference Service frequently because of a desire to avoid silent calls. Over 100,000 people a month complain about Silent Calls. Neither the Silent Call list nor the TPS list stop silent calls although both cause some reduction."

"There is only one way to stop Silent Calls. That is for Ofcom to do their job properly and come down like a ton of bricks on those companies causing nuisance and anxiety across the country. They have been able to act since the 2003 Communications act, but have not done so."

"In the USA Silent Calls have been banned (strictly 2 seconds of silence is allowed, but then there has to be an explanation). Ofcom could do this in the UK tomorrow. They need to get on and do their job properly. What is the sense in having a regulator that simply takes no action?"

"I shall be writing to the minister Allan Johnson to ask him why he is allowing Ofcom to be so slow. Mr Johnson may have said that the fine is being increased, but if they don't fine anyone then it has no effect."