SAYNOTO0870.COM - Parliamentary update

idb

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #210 - Feb 1^st, 2008 at 12:46am

Order Book Part 1

Questions to the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
1
Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what agencies under his Department's responsibilities use (a) 0845 and (b) 0870 telephone codes for customer enquiries; how many 0845 or 0870 telephone codes each agency uses; and how much revenue was generated by each of these codes for each agency in each of the last five years.

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SilentCallsVictim

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #211 - Feb 1^st, 2008 at 1:23am

Barbara wrote on Jan 31^st, 2008 at 1:59pm:

If I have read these correctly, it seems ministers/civil servants need to communicate? Perhaps someone who knows how to do this could ascertain which is the correct information so the public can be advised properly!

As the letter and the written answer were both given in the name of Jim Fitzpatrick this is not confusion between people.

The confusion (deliberate or otherwise) is about the role of Ofcom. Ofcom is neither a hero nor a totally innocent victim, but on this, as on many other occasions, it is being used as a scapegoat. Government departments like to pretend that Ofcom can tell them what to do, because that shifts the blame off them.

Ofcom has not directed any government department to stop using 0870 and to use 03 instead, because IT CANNOT DO THAT. Ofcom's powers of regulation only apply to the telcos. It can regulate how they charge for 03 and to whom they issue particular 03 numbers. Its powers in relation to 0870 numbers are stronger than it pretends, but it cannot tell any existing consumer not to use them. (Yes, government departments are consumers of telephone services just like you or I.)

The delay in switching off the 0870 numbers and migrating to 0300 has nothing to do with Ofcom. It is purely a matter for the Department, the Agency, their telecomms supplier and service users.

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #212 - Feb 1^st, 2008 at 2:16am

idb wrote on Feb 1^st, 2008 at 12:45am:

Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he expects Ofcom to issue its review of charges of calls made to 0870 numbers …

idb wrote on Feb 1^st, 2008 at 12:46am:

Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, what agencies under his Department's responsibilities use (a) 0845 and (b) 0870 telephone codes …

Mr Carmichael is a little confused.

The first question should have been asked of the DBERR, as this covers the telecomms work of Ofcom, although it is not an agency of the Department. DCMS covers Ofcom’s involvement in broadcasting. Noting similar mistakes in the past, he may get a reply anyway, although this could only cover what any government department “expects” to happen, it could not give any promises.

The second question is perhaps trying to fill a gap in the answers to the circular question that Rob Marris received on Monday (referred to in previous postings). As at Thiursday morning, Mr Marris was still awaiting the answer from the DBERR along with those from DIUS and DWP (“holding answers” will have been given). The Cabinet Office (Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster) replied on Wednesday saying Zero.

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idb

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #213 - Feb 6^th, 2008 at 11:59pm

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 05 Feb 2008 (pt 0014)

Departmental Telephone Services
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue was generated by each (a) 0845 and (b) 0870 telephone code used for customer enquiry lines by her Department's agencies in each of the last five years. [183953]

5 Feb 2008 : Column 1008W

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following agencies of the Department for Transport have 0870 telephone codes which generated the following revenue over the last five years—no 0845 codes generated revenue:

DVLA DSA VOSA
2002-03
623,539
(1)—
0

2003-04
874,965
702,326
0

2004-05
1,945,131
706,399
10,386

2005-06
2,423,517
693,254
63,407

2006-07
1,945,131
623,284
72,397

2007-08 to date
2,555,102
404,043
62,894

Comments
0870 numbers
0870 numbers
0870 numbers

(1) Not available.

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idb

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #214 - Feb 7^th, 2008 at 12:00am

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 05 Feb 2008 (pt 0019)

Duchy of Lancaster
Departmental Telephone Services
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what agencies under his Department's responsibilities use (a) 0845 and (b) 0870 telephone codes for customer enquiries; how many 0845 or 0870 telephone codes each agency uses; and how much revenue was generated by each of these codes for each agency in each of the last five years. [183962]

Mr. Watson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Rob Marris) on 29 January 2008, Official Report, column 248W.

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Dave

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #215 - Feb 8^th, 2008 at 5:04pm

From Scottish Parliament - Written Answers Thursday 24 January 2008

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-08/wa0124.htm#25

Public Sector

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on the use of telephone numbers with the prefix 0845 by public agencies. (S3O-2048)

John Swinney: The Scottish Government is guided in its use of 0845 numbers by best practice as recommended by OFCOM. The Scottish Government does use some 0845 numbers, but their continued use will be reviewed when OFCOM have completed their on-going review of Number Translation Services.

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« Last Edit: Feb 8^th, 2008 at 5:04pm by Dave »

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idb

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #216 - Feb 8^th, 2008 at 11:39pm

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 07 Feb 2008 (pt 0033)

Departmental Telephone Services
Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many 0845 or similar cost telephone numbers are used by (a) his Department and (b) related departmental bodies for public access to services. [179010]

Mr. Thomas: My Department administers one 0870 telephone number and seven 0845 telephone numbers for public use.

I have asked the chief executives of the Insolvency Service and Companies House to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of their letters will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

7 Feb 2008 : Column 1445W

Letter from Stephen S peed, dated 7 February 2008:

The Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply to you directly on behalf of The Insolvency Service in respect of your question (2007/948) asking how many 0845 or similar cost telephone numbers are used by (a) his Department and (b) related departmental bodies for public access to services.

The Insolvency Service has three 0845 lines. These are: the Insolvency Service Enquiry Line, the Redundancy Payments Helpline and the Enforcement Hotline.

Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 7 February 2008:

I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

Companies House's Contact Centre telephone number is 0870 3333636.

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idb

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #217 - Feb 8^th, 2008 at 11:40pm

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 06 Feb 2008 (pt 0002)

Departmental Telephone Services

Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of his Department's agencies use the (a) 0845 and (b) 0870 telephone codes for customer enquiries; how many 0845 or 0870 telephone codes each agency uses; and how much revenue was generated by each of these codes for each agency in each of the last five years. [184046]

Mr. Woodward: The Northern Ireland Prison Service use one 0845 number but the service provider, Cable and Wireless do not supply information on revenue generated by the 0845 number.

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #218 - Feb 8^th, 2008 at 11:41pm

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 06 Feb 2008 (pt 0006)

Departmental Telephone Services

Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much revenue was generated by each (a) 0845 and (b) 0870 telephone code used by his Department's agencies for customer enquiry lines in each of the last five years. [183952]

Meg Munn: The 0845/0870 numbers, in use by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, are provided free of charge and for our convenience by the service provider.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office generates no revenue from their use

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #219 - Feb 8^th, 2008 at 11:43pm

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 07 Feb 2008 (pt 0004)

Departmental Telephone Services

Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many non-geographic telephone numbers are in use by her Department and its agencies; and what revenue their use generated in each year for which figures are available. [180715]

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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Heinz

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #220 - Feb 9^th, 2008 at 10:14am

idb wrote on Feb 8^th, 2008 at 11:43pm:

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 07 Feb 2008 (pt 0004)

Departmental Telephone Services

Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many non-geographic telephone numbers are in use by her Department and its agencies; and what revenue their use generated in each year for which figures are available. [180715]

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.

Why on earth are these supposedly intelligent people not asking the right question?

The question in this case should have been:

"Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many non-geographic telephone numbers

other than '03' numbers

are in use by her Department and its agencies; what revenue their use generated in each year for which figures are available;

why the have not yet been changed to 03 numbers as recommended by the COI; and when they will be changed to 03 numbers.

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After years of ignoring govt. guidelines & RIPPING OFF Council Tax payers using 0845 numbers, Essex County Council changed to 0345 numbers on 2 November 2015

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idb Supreme Member Offline Posts: 1,499 Miami, Florida, United States Gender:	Re: Parliamentary update Reply #221 - Feb 22^nd, 2008 at 10:40pm Part 2: Oral and Written Questions from Monday 25 February 2008 290 Mrs Linda Riordan (Halifax): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to replace 0844 numbers with 0800 numbers for patients calling their GPs.
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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #222 - Feb 22^nd, 2008 at 10:42pm

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 21 Feb 2008 (pt 0009)

Departmental Telephone Services
Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many 0845 or similar cost telephone numbers are used by (a) his Department and (b) related departmental bodies for public access to services. [179377]

Mr. Lammy [holding answer 28 January 2008]: Comprehensive information about 0845 and similar numbers is not readily available centrally and to respond fully would involve an extensive information collection exercise which would exceed the recommended disproportionate cost threshold. However, using a variety of information and data sources, I can confirm that the following numbers are in use:

Telephone numbers Access services
0845 603 4599
The UK Intellectual Property Office

0845 922 2250
The UK Intellectual Property Office

0845 950 0505
The UK Intellectual Property Office

0870 191 0111
Biotech Support

0870 191 0112
Information Society Support

0870 191 0113
NMP Helpline

0870 191 0114
1ST in Manufacturing

0870 191 0115
SME Helpline

0870 191 0116
Beta Technology (Research and Innovation Support). No longer promoted and routes to 0870 600 6080

0870 606 1515
National 1ST Programme Helpline. No longer promoted and routes to 0870 600 6080

0870 240 5927
FP7UK Helpline (Textphone)

0870 240 5929
FP7UK Helpline (Fax)

0870 600 6080
FP7UK Helpline

0870 191 0117
Transport (including Aeronautics) Helpline

0870 191 0118
Space Helpline

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #223 - Feb 22^nd, 2008 at 10:43pm

House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 20 Feb 2008 (pt 0012)

Departmental Telephone Services

Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was generated by each (a) 0845 and (b) 0870 telephone code used for customer enquiry lines by his Department's agencies in each of the last five years. [183954]

Angela Eagle: The UK Debt Management Office (DMO), HM Treasury's only agency, has generated no revenue from the operation of 0845 or 0870 telephone codes in the last five years. The DMO uses some 0845 telephone numbers but not for income generation purposes.

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Re: Parliamentary update
Reply #224 - Feb 22^nd, 2008 at 10:45pm

Questions for Oral or Written Answer
beginning on Wednesday 20 February 2008
(the 'Questions Book')

558

Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland): To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5th February 2008, Official Report, columns 1007-8W, on departmental telephone services, how much revenue generated from 0870 telephone numbers of her Department's agencies came from Scottish landline numbers in each year.

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