MP welcomes new investigation on TV Quizzes - 9th Mar, 2007

Sian James MP has welcomed the decision by ITV to suspend premium phone lines in a investigation into TV Quizzes

Sian James MP said:

"I am pleased that action has been taken for a full investigation on shows that have premium lines for interactive viewer participation. I believe ITV has done the right thing in pulling from our screens all its premium line shows at this time.

"I am not against people enjoying quizzes on the television but I do believe that they should be fair playing field for people and they should know how much they will be charged for partipating. This will only seek to increase public confidence in these competitions.

"The regulatory body for the premium rate telecommunications industry is currently investigating complaints about several television shows."

Mrs James has already raised concerns to Ministers in the Deparment of Culture, Media and Sport about the channels - which can attract 100,000 calls an hour and charge callers 75p a time even when they do not get on screen.

The Swansea East MP has recently echoed a report by a Commons select committee which has demanded tighter regulation of the shows and called for them to be classed as gambling.

Sian James MP added:

"There's a big question to be answered about the management of these programmes and the fair play. I don't think people are silly. People have to make up their minds themselves. The companies win all round. They're not doing it for the benefit of your health, they're doing it to make money.

"There needs to be more regulation of these companies. After all, the protection of the public should be utmost in everything we do."