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Telephone Quiz Shows

Volume 457: debated on Monday 5 March 2007

17. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received on telephone quiz shows on television. (124577)

We have received a number of representations from the public and industry regarding telephone quiz shows on television. However, responsibility for the regulation of these services rests with the independent regulators, Ofcom and ICSTIS. ICSTIS is currently consulting on new regulations for Call TV quiz shows which aim to secure greater transparency for consumers and further encourage best practice in the industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Services with regard to (a) the legality of and (b) the regulation of Call TV quiz shows; when these discussions took place; what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the current regulation; and if she will make a statement. (124260)

None. Officials have discussed the operation of Call TV quiz shows with the independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) and the Office of Communications (Ofcom), the bodies responsible for the regulation of these services.

Following an extensive review of the sector, ICSTIS is currently consulting on new regulations for Call TV quiz shows, aimed at ensuring greater transparency for consumers and to further encourage best practice in the industry.