Clause 48 - Conditions relating to customer interests
Communications Bill
12:15 pm
Mr Stephen Timms (Minister of State (e-Commerce & Competitiveness), Department of Trade and Industry; East Ham, Labour)
The introduction of the telecommunications ombudsman service is an important step forward. I can certainly confirm to the hon. Gentleman that we want a seamless transition from the arrangement that is just being set up to the Ofcom scheme. It will not be possible for Ofcom to approve the scheme until the Bill becomes law and the provision has come into force, but we want approval as soon as possible thereafter and to avoid any disruption in the setting up of the service. I recently met the telecommunications ombudsman, Elizabeth France, and had a good discussion with her. A good service will be provided from the new base in Warrington.
I cannot accede to the amendments' proposed £5,000 limit. We are simply putting into UK law what the directive says, and it makes no mention of allowing member states to exclude relevant disputes from the arrangements in question on the basis of their value or for any other reason. If the amendment were
made, that would leave us with legislation inconsistent with the directive, and we cannot have that.
Ofcom will decide whether the imposition of general conditions on the subject is appropriate. If public communications providers can demonstrate that existing alternatives satisfy the requirements of the directive in respect of certain categories of dispute, Ofcom will not need to impose a requirement for the providers to have arrangements of their own for them. That may give the hon. Gentleman some reassurance, and I hope that on that basis he will feel able to withdraw the amendment.