Clause 116 - Conditions regulation premium rate services
Communications Bill
6:15 pm
Mr Brian White (North East Milton Keynes, Labour)
Premium rate services are a billion-pound industry in this country and a lot of goods things come from it. However, the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Allan) has highlighted some relevant issues. One of my concerns is the way in which innovative services are coming in. If public confidence in these services is lost, that will prevent the good and proper use of them.
There are legitimate uses that need to be protected. Unscrupulous companies could simply unbundle the charging mechanism, and there are ways in which they could get round the Bill—I appreciate that that relates to the next set of amendments. I was struck by Bryan Carsberg's comment that what will drive the regulator is what is in the legislation rather than the intention behind it. I am concerned that there is a gap here, and I ask the Minister to look at it again.