DIAL A MOBILE GROUP PLC

That this House views with the gravest concern the current financial situation faced by many customers of Dial a Mobile Group PLC, formerly Mobile Connections, following the closure of its Birmingham retail shop; notes that the absence of the agreed cash-back discounts from Dial a Mobile now leaves many people facing the prospect of paying the full monthly contract fee to their airtime provider and added financial hardship; further notes that the practice of offering attactive cash-back offers on expensive airtime contracts continues with the tacit approval of the airtime providers and that Dial a Mobile is not the first such company to leave customers in financial difficulties; commends Birmingham Trading Standards for its early intervention in this matter and prompt action; and calls on the Secretary of State as a matter of urgency to launch an investigation and to convene a meeting of airtime service providers and Ofcom, the telecommunications regulator, with a view to strengthening the regulatory framework and releasing affected customers from existing contracts.