New Inquiry: Nuisance Telephone Calls and Text Messages

Unwanted marketing messages can be received by telephone or text message. Together with abandoned, including silent, telephone calls, these have led to many complaints by constituents to their Members of Parliament.

Ofcom and the Information Commissioner's Office both have regulatory and enforcement responsibilities. The Telephone Preference Service allows individuals to have their telephone number removed from relevant marketing lists.

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has decided to hold an inquiry into nuisance telephone calls and text messages, focusing on the current regulatory system and its enforcement, the effectiveness of the Telephone Preference Service and practical measures by communications service providers to curtail such communications.

The Committee invites written evidence from those who wish to contribute to the inquiry.

How to respond

The Committee requests short written submissions in Word format. A copy of the submission should be sent by email to cmsev@parliament.uk and should have "Nuisance Calls" in the subject line. Submissions should be received by Thursday 15 August 2013.