To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effects of BT's policy of imposing a charge on customers who choose not to pay bills by direct debit, with particular reference to vulnerable customers. (212639)

[holding answer 20 June 2008]: The Office of Communications (Ofcom) has examined regulatory concerns about communications providers' additional charges and draft guidance was published on 28 February at

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/addcharges.

The proposals to curb unfair additional charges levied by communications providers on consumers' bills are designed to ensure that extra charges are fair and that landline, broadband, mobile and pay-TV providers clearly market the true cost of their services. Ofcom expects to produce guidance in the autumn and once finalised, it is proposing to give providers three months to comply. Ofcom will then start an enforcement programme.