The MP's campaign-Responses

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Written to Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth

 

Also got 13 claims running will link to this thread in them

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emailed the following, and will update as and when replies come in,

 

John Whittaker MEP

Den Dover MEP

Arlene McCarthy MEP

Brian Simpson MEP

Chris Davies MEP

Gary Titley MEP

Sajjad Karim MEP

David Sumberg MEP

Robert Atkins MEP

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Just had the following response from Brian Simpson

 

Thank you for your email. I note you have written also to my colleague

Arlene McCarthy MEP who is the Labour MEP with responsibility for your area

and she will respond on behalf of the Labour MEPs in due course.

 

BRIAN SIMPSON MEP

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Received from office of Sajjad Karim MEP

 

Dear

 

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to contact one of your Liberal

Democrat representatives for the North West region, Sajjad Karim MEP, to

make him aware of your concerns regarding the test case against banks and their over charging.

 

We are in the process of researching and reviewing your concerns and will

contact you as and when it is appropriate.

 

Kind Regards

 

Verity Brown

Admin Assistant to Sajjad Karim MEP

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Just had the following reply from office of Sajjad Karim

 

14th August 2007

Dear Mr

 

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to contact Mr Sajjad Karim MEP

regarding your concerns about the decision by the Office of Fair Trade to bring the matter of bank charges to a test case. Please allow me to take this opportunity to inform you that your concerns have been passed on to Mr Karim personally.

 

The Liberal Democrats believe that the enormous profits made by banks highlight the raw deal UK customers are getting from banks. The government's failure to get to grips in addressing banking system means that whilst banks boost their profit margins, many customers are getting deeper and deeper into debt. The rules adjoining charges are obscure and lacking transparency and banks are finding it less and less easy to justify such charges because they are not related to their cost.

 

The Cruickshank report which was released some time ago, identified the

unacceptable position of bank charges and consequently, the Liberal Democrats have recognised that the deeper problem is that the authorities are looking at the issue in a piece-meal manner and therefore the decision by the OFT is surely a step in the right direction. The Lib Dems also recognise the fact that there needs to be a comprehensive approach to bank charges.

 

A formal investigation into bank charges is supported by the Lib Dems, the Shadow Chancellor, Mr Vince Cable MP commented that he "strongly support(s) the OFT's sophisticated move to call the banks' bluff on the provision of so-called 'free' banking...with soaring profits seemingly unrelated to the standard of customer service, whether it be overdraft charges or cheque clearing times, it is essential that this investigation forces transparency into the market. The banks must not be allowed to abuse their position."

 

Although your concerns are of course taken very seriously, the decision by the FTO to launch a full investigation is clearly a positive measure to ensure that such unfair charges cease to be justifiable under legal auspices.

 

Many thanks again for contacting us and kind regards

 

Lucy Pickles

Casework Assistant to Sajjad Karim MEP

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who are the FTO?

the Financial Taking Ombudsman?

 

 

There like the OFT just different

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Received the following from Sir Robert Atkins MEP

 

Dear Mr Cross

 

Many thanks for your message of 9th August.

 

Sir Robert shares your concerns about the arrangement between the OFT, FSA and

UK retail banking industry to freeze out further overcharging complaints whilst

a test case is being brought and has received several similar letters and

messages from his constituents.

 

He believes that you should petition (formally complain about this practice) the

European Parliament to give it the opportunity to call attention to this

apparent infringement of your rights. If the subject of your petition concerns

an area of activity of the European Union it will normally be declared

admissible by the Committee on Petitions, which will then decide what type of

action should be taken.

 

Depending on the circumstances, the Committee on Petitions may:

 

1. Ask the European Commission to conduct a preliminary investigation and

provide information regarding compliance with relevant Community legislation,

2. Refer the petition to other European Parliament committees for information or

further action (a committee might, for example, take account of a petition in

its legislative activities),

3. In some exceptional cases submit a report to Parliament to be voted upon in

plenary or conduct a fact-finding visit,

4. Or take any other action considered appropriate to try to resolve an issue.

 

The Petitions Committee of the European Parliament may seek to cooperate with

national or local authorities in Member States to resolve an issue raised by a

petitioner.

 

It cannot, however, override decisions taken by competent authorities within

Member States. As the European Parliament is not a judicial authority, it can

neither pass judgement on, nor revoke decisions taken by, the Courts of law in

Member States. Petitions seeking such courses of action are inadmissible.

 

Further information about the petitioning process and details of how to lodge

your complaint can be accessed via the following link:

 

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/parliament/public/staticDisplay.do?id=49&language=

EN

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

 

Kind regards

 

Paul Laffin (Political Assistant)

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And the following "sod off were not interested" from Gary Titley MEP

 

 

Dear Mr Cross,

Thank you for your e-mail of 9th August, which was awaiting me when this office re-opened

earlier this week following the European Parliament’s summer recess.

The European Union has no jurisdiction over the issue you raise and therefore I am sorry to

have to tell you that there is nothing I can do at EU level to assist you with it.

I only wish I could have brought you a more positive reply.

Yours sincerely

Gary Titley MEP