UNSOLICITED FAX MESSAGES AND COSTS OF PREVENTION

Early day motion 281, tabled 17 January 2000 by Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 70 members.

That this House is concerned by the rise in unsolicited facsimile messages to small businesses, disrupting their activity and increasing their costs; notes that suppliers of such unwanted services are extorting payment for removal of business facsimile numbers from their subscription lists through premium rate telephone or administrative charges and not revealing the availability of the Fax Preference Service; and therefore calls on the Government to work together with the Office of Fair Trading to bring forward measures to eradicate these predatory practices.

Signatures by party: Labour 42, Liberal Democrat 16, Conservative 5, Labour/Co-operative 4, UUP 2, Scottish National Party 1.