To ask the Solicitor-General if she will refer to the Serious Fraud Office recent allegations of television broadcaster misconduct in the use of premium rate telephone services in viewer competitions and voting. (205793)

I am aware that four allegations of television broadcaster misconduct have been considered by the SFO, although those referrals did not arise from my Office.

A decision was made by the former director of the SFO, Robert Wardle, not to commence formal investigations into two of these allegations. The remaining two allegations are still undergoing consideration. The director of the SFO will make a decision on these in due course.

To ask the Solicitor-General whether the Serious Fraud Office plans to investigate the recent cases of television broadcaster misconduct in the use of premium rate telephone services in viewer competitions and voting; and if she will make a statement. (205854)

Four separate allegations of misconduct by television broadcasters have been raised with the SFO since October 2007. A decision was made by the former Director of the SFO, Robert Wardle, not to commence formal investigations into two of these allegations. The remaining two allegations are still undergoing consideration. The Director of the SFO will make a decision on these in due course.