SAYNOTO0870.COM - Parliamentary update

idb

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #255 - Apr 1^st, 2008 at 11:35pm

Early Day Motions

1285 ACCESSING GOVERNMENT HELPLINES FROM MOBILE TELEPHONES 31:3:08

Julia Goldsworthy
Mrs Linda Riordan
John Bercow
Martin Horwood
Mr Jeremy Browne
Sandra Gidley
* 7
Greg Mulholland

That this House notes many Government-run helplines such as the Tax Credit Helpline, Benefit Enquiry Line, Pension Service and Social Fund use numbers with an 0800 or 0845 prefix; further notes that these numbers are widely advertised and are recognised as free phone and local rate numbers, despite the fact that mobile network operators connect customers to these services at premium rates; is concerned that low income users of these helplines without access to a landline incur disproportionate costs in accessing taxpayer funded services; urges the Government to consider reviewing legislation so that 0800 numbers are genuinely free to all users; and calls on the Government to investigate providing all essential Government-run helplines, where no alternative face to face service is provided, free of charge at the point of use.

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SilentCallsVictim

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #256 - Apr 3^rd, 2008 at 12:06am

Browsing through the parliamentary committee calendar, I notice that Ed Richards will be facing his annual "grilling" before the BERR select committee on Tuesday 22 April.

This is the only time when Ofcom is called to account. Citizens may wish to informally suggest questions or points for discussion to committee members, who are listed here, or more properly make representations through their MP.

I will be offering a briefing for members of the committee to consider during their April break.

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NGMsGhost

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #257 - Apr 3^rd, 2008 at 12:23am

SilentCallsVictim wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2008 at 12:06am:

Browsing through the parliamentary committee calendar, I notice that Ed Richards will be facing his annual "grilling" before the BERR select committee on Tuesday 22 April.

This is the only time when Ofcom is called to account. Citizens may wish to informally suggest questions or points for discussion to committee members, who are listed here, or more properly make representations through their MP.

I will be offering a briefing for members of the committee to consider during their April break.

Well spotted SCV.

I must also suggest some questions on which Mr Richards can be grilled.

Unless anyone's MP is on this committee then I think they will only get their question asked by suggesting it directly to members of the committee. Your own MP will just send back a letter making suitable soothing noises but not have a chance to put the overpaid Mr Richards on the spot.

Hmmm. Checking the Parliamentary Committee Calendar for your leisure - it seems to me you obviously missed your vocation as either a political lobbyist, an investigative journalist or possibly even a Parliamentarian. Wink

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« Last Edit: Apr 3^rd, 2008 at 12:27am by NGMsGhost »

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SilentCallsVictim

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #258 - Apr 3^rd, 2008 at 1:19am

NGMsGhost wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2008 at 12:23am:

Unless anyone's MP is on this committee then I think they will only get their question asked by suggesting it directly to members of the committee.

MPs undertake a lot of work dealing with representations from their own constituents, that is their duty, and they are perfectly entitled to disregard communications from others. Helpful briefings in connection with other duties, e.g. membership of a committee, may be welcomed by some members, but I would not wish to solicit a mass lobby, other than through proper channels.

I would urge and advise those contacting any MP other than their own to only offer briefings, not to demand action.

It is regretable that Ofcom's accountability is so weak, these annual sessions rarely include any true "grilling", but if we wish to promote change for the better, this must initially be attempted through the process as it exists.

The main calendar sections of www.parliament.uk have recently been revamped and are now readily accessible to all.

I am only prepared to discuss my career and entertain job offers outside this public forum, although I am happy to graciously accept what I take as a compliment.

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idb

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #259 - Apr 22^nd, 2008 at 12:45am

Order Book Part 1

Questions for Oral or Written Answer
beginning on Monday 21 April 2008
(the 'Questions Book')

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on
Monday 21 April 2008

66
Julia Goldsworthy (Falmouth & Camborne): To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what (a) 0800, (b) 0845 and (c) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies which report to his Department.

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NGMsGhost Supreme Member Offline The Forum Ghost of NonGeographicalMan<b r /> Posts: 2,720 Surrey, United Kingdom Gender:	Re: Parliamentary update Reply #260 - Apr 22^nd, 2008 at 1:30am Why don't any of these MPs ever ask about the processes by which these numbers came to be used by these department. Surely nothing is to be gained by repeatedly asking how many of these numbers they have at this stage in the game.
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mikeinnc

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #261 - Apr 22^nd, 2008 at 12:36pm

Quote:

Why don't any of these MPs ever ask about the processes by which these numbers came to be used by these department.

From what I have read here, it looks like this is part of that quaint 'protocol' that your elected representatives follow.

I suppose it goes along with getting your snout in the trough................ Grin

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SilentCallsVictim

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #262 - Apr 22^nd, 2008 at 1:05pm

mikeinnc wrote on Apr 22^nd, 2008 at 12:36pm:

that quaint 'protocol'

The problem with written ministerial answers is that anything but a request for simple facts that are relevant to the duites of the department, certain to exist and easy to provide can be fobbed off.

Questions for oral answer are more likely to get a meaningful response, because the questioner has the chance to ask a supplementary question that can highlight the deficiencies of an inadequate answer. Unlike questions for written answer however, these are rationed.

More tightly rationed still are adjournment and Westminster Hall debates. These do however get a meaningful ministerial response.

Important as this issue is, those granted these rationed resources for scrutiny of the government have to use them in accordance with the current perceived priorities of their constituents.

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #263 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 1:13am

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 21 Apr 2008 (pt 0021)

Departmental Telephone Services

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) 0800, (b) 0845 and (c) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) her Department and (ii) agencies which report to her Department. [200131]

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following 0800, 0845 and 0870 telephone numbers for the public are currently in use by the Department for Transport and its agencies:

Services provided 0800 0845 0870

DFT Central
Heathrow Consultation Line
0
1
0

DVLA
Information services, automated self services, technical helpdesks and reporting unlicensed vehicles
15
1
1

HA
HA Information Line (HAIL) and Central Switchboard for Traffic England phone service and publications
0
2
2

DSA
Related to practical and theory driving test bookings
0
0
(1)4

MCA
MCA Infoline
0
0
1

VOSA
Public Hotline, Operator license credit card payment scheme and national number
0
1
2

VCA
0
0
0

GCDA
0
0
0

(1) Will be terminated later in 2008 and replaced by 0300 numbers

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority: Telephone Services

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions she has had with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) on the average time taken for callers to speak to the DVLA department of their choice; and if she will make a statement. [199016]

Jim Fitzpatrick: The average time taken to answer a customer (in seconds) once they have made an appropriate choice from within the Agency's interactive voice response units (IVR's) over the last six months is:

Average time (seconds)

March 2008
76

February 2008
45

January 2008
33

December 2007
10

November 2007
10

October 2007
21

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idb

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #264 - Apr 23^rd, 2008 at 1:21am

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 21 Apr 2008 (pt 0011)

Departmental Telephone Services

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what (a) 0800, (b) 0845 and (c) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) her Department and (ii) agencies which report to her Department. [200121]

Mr. Dhanda: Communities and Local Government and its agencies has one non-geographical telephone number to provide information to homeowners in relation to energy performance certificates (0845 365 2468). A third party manages this service on behalf of the Department. The Department does not derive any revenue from this service.

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #265 - Apr 24^th, 2008 at 1:41am

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 21 Apr 2008 (pt 0074)

Departmental Telephone Services

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) 0800, (b) 0845 and (c) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies which report to his Department. [200124]

Derek Twigg: The use of 0800, 0845 or 0870 numbers in the Department and its agencies is determined at local level in accordance with individual business requirements and ordered directly from the supplier. Records of these numbers are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #266 - Apr 24^th, 2008 at 1:42am

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 21 Apr 2008 (pt 0092)

Departmental Telephone Services

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what (a) 0800, (b) 0845 and (c) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies which report to his Department. [200122]

Mr. Sutcliffe: Neither my Department nor the Royal Parks Agency has any 0800, 0845 or 0870 numbers for public use.

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #267 - Apr 24^th, 2008 at 1:46am

EDM 1285 update:

ACCESSING GOVERNMENT HELPLINES FROM MOBILE TELEPHONES 31.03.2008

Goldsworthy, Julia 52 signatures

Alexander, Danny Bercow, John Bottomley, Peter
Breed, Colin Brooke, Annette Browne, Jeremy
Cable, Vincent Campbell, Gregory Carmichael, Alistair
Caton, Martin Clark, Katy Corbyn, Jeremy
Cryer, Ann Davey, Edward Dean, Janet
Devine, Jim Dismore, Andrew Drew, David
Durkan, Mark Foster, Michael Jabez Gidley, Sandra
Harris, Evan Holmes, Paul Horwood, Martin
Hoyle, Lindsay Hughes, Simon Hunter, Mark
Illsley, Eric Jenkins, Brian Jones, Lynne
Leech, John MacNeil, Angus McCafferty, Chris
McGrady, Eddie Mulholland, Greg Oaten, Mark
Osborne, Sandra Pope, Greg Pugh, John
Rennie, Willie Riordan, Linda Rogerson, Daniel
Russell, Bob Simpson, David Smith, Robert
Taylor, David Vis, Rudi Wareing, Robert N
Williams, Betty Williams, Stephen Willis, Phil

That this House notes many Government-run helplines such as the Tax Credit Helpline, Benefit Enquiry Line, Pension Service and Social Fund use numbers with an 0800 or 0845 prefix; further notes that these numbers are widely advertised and are recognised as free phone and local rate numbers, despite the fact that mobile network operators connect customers to these services at premium rates; is concerned that low income users of these helplines without access to a landline incur disproportionate costs in accessing taxpayer funded services; urges the Government to consider reviewing legislation so that 0800 numbers are genuinely free to all users; and calls on the Government to investigate providing all essential Government-run helplines, where no alternative face to face service is provided, free of charge at the point of use.

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idb

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #268 - Apr 24^th, 2008 at 1:49am

EDM 108 update

USE OF 0844 TELEPHONE NUMBERS IN GP SURGERIES 06.11.2007

Stuart, Graham 70 signatures

Anderson, David Baldry, Tony Bottomley, Peter
Brake, Tom Breed, Colin Cable, Vincent
Campbell, Gregory Caton, Martin Clark, Katy
Conway, Derek Crausby, David Cryer, Ann
Dean, Janet Devine, Jim Dismore, Andrew
Dodds, Nigel Drew, David Durkan, Mark
Etherington, Bill Evans, Nigel Foster, Michael Jabez
George, Andrew Gidley, Sandra Godsiff, Roger
Hamilton, David Hancock, Mike Harris, Evan
Harvey, Nick Heyes, David Hodgson, Sharon
Holmes, Paul Hopkins, Kelvin Horam, John
Hosie, Stewart Howarth, David Hoyle, Lindsay
Illsley, Eric Jenkins, Brian Lamb, Norman
Leech, John Maclean, David MacNeil, Angus
Marsden, Gordon McCafferty, Chris McCrea, Dr William
McDonnell, John McGrady, Eddie Moss, Malcolm
Murphy, Denis Naysmith, Doug O'Hara, Edward
Reed, Andy Robinson, Iris Rowen, Paul
Russell, Bob Simpson, Alan Simpson, David
Spink, Bob Taylor, David Vaz, Keith
Vis, Rudi Wareing, Robert N Williams, Betty
Williams, Mark Willis, Phil Wilshire, David
Winterton, Ann Winterton, Nicholas Younger-Ross, Richard

That this House notes that more than 1,200 GP surgeries across the country have installed telephone systems using 0844 numbers; further notes that these systems are more expensive to use than a local call with patients being charged 5 pence per minute from a landline and up to 40 pence per minute from a mobile; further notes that for many people, calling their local GP surgery can be a stressful and worrying time and that high call charges will have a particular impact on the chronically ill, the old, the disabled and those on low incomes; notes that the practice of charging people extra to call their local GP is unsatisfactory; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Health to put an end to it with immediate effect.

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #269 - Apr 29^th, 2008 at 2:26am

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 25 Apr 2008 (pt 0007)

Departmental Telephone Services

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) 0800, (b) 0845 and (c) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies which report to his Department. [200126]

Meg Munn: There are no 0800, 0845, or 0870 telephone numbers for the public directly in use by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) or its agencies. A contractor, on behalf of consular department of the FCO, runs the Travel Advice service which is accessed via an 0845 number.

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