Loan Companies: Interest Rates

Baroness Gardner of Parkes Excerpts

Thursday 3rd November 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Dykes]

My Lords—

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes]

My Lords—

[Lord McNally]

I think that the House should hear from my noble friend Lady Gardner.

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that many of us now get six or more phone calls every week? It is not just a high street issue but has become an absolute telephone menace. People are phoning all the time, stating that this is an official announcement and under the new law they can clear all your debts in no time at all. This is absolutely wrong. I have asked this question previously and the Minister told me that there was nothing the Government could do. I understand now that there is a blocking system. Will the Government publicise how to block these calls so that these poor people are not imposed upon again?

[Baroness Wilcox]

People are most vulnerable to receiving these calls in their homes. We have all received them. I will take that question away, see whether there is anything further that we are doing and write to my noble friend.