02089564000

I run a small driving school in Berkshire and have just received a phone call from someone who said his name was "Martin Carter" calling from the "Parliamentary Information Office" and requesting to speak to our "managing director" or "CEO". I explained that we were a small local driving school and therefore would not have anyone here with those sorts of fancy job titles. In the background I could hear call centre type chatter. He embarked on a typical "sales call" of the type used to sell advertising space/directory entries etc. He wanted to sell me an entry in the "Parliamentary Yearbook" for £4950 and said that there would be a maximum of 6 entries under the "training" category and that 5 slots were already filled by the likes of "Addecco" and other prestigious training companies and would I like my company to be listed alongside them. I asked him if he really thought that it was likely that a tiny company would either have sufficient budget to afford those sorts of costs, or indeed be interested in using their money in this way. He said he was asked to make calls by his manager who got his information about who to call from local chambers of commerce etc. I told him he was talking nonsense and that if he really did have prestigious training companies signed up and he wanted a representative from the driver training industry he would be approaching large companies such as BSM, the AA or Red...he started to get shirty with me so I told him to stop wasting my time and put the phone down.

This has nothing to do with parliamentary anything - they're just jokers who try to sucker anyone into parting with either £4900 or £2700 for inclusion into a worthless document. If you want to give the price of a decent used car away to this lot, then fill your boots!!! Caveat Emptor is very much the case here

Oh, yes, apart from wasting time, also in our category, 5 slots out of 6 were already filled - naturally - would you have expected any less to have already been filled. Total jokers - The only message I received was it's a scam - don't do it!!!

would not leave any info other than Parliamentary rubbish and only wanted the Managing Director. I explained that I needed more info and he said suit yourself either he rings back or not

Just had the same call me and leave a voicemail on my personal mobile phone number.  I've encountered them a few years ago.  They used to say they respresented the deputy prime minister too.  And like others, why they would target small players, when there are much bigger names with bigger budgets, I do not know.  Actually shows they don't care really who they have, despite their patter.

These people keep calling nonth after month - I have asked for my details to be removed and they claim they have - but I get more calls.
I asked for their data protection registration number and they appear not to be registered - Please report them!

They are now claiming to be compiling reports about the Olympic 2012 opportunities. This is complete nonsense, this is a scam. If you have time just waste theirs otherwise put the phone down.

had the same call yesterday from 02089564000 and having researched the number on this website i called 'blakes' and informed them that i am aware of there intentions and ask for them not to contact me again. be careful of companies like these, and from expereince, if anything seems a little strange it probably is.

this number called my company claiming to be from the British Diplomatic Services, thought it was a bit odd, so i put him on hold and typed the number into google and this is what came up, i talked to him again, said i was just going to ask a colleague, left the receiever off for 10 mins, came back -> he was still waiting!!! i said we wern't interested and hung up.

Just had the call today. They asked for a person who didn't exist in my sole-trader compamy (i.e. not me!) although he had the business name about 50 per cent right. I said they had the wrong number and the guy just hung up without so much as an apology. A minute later he rang back and on recognising my voice asked what my name was. I refused to tell him and, yes, he got a little irate. I had to ask who he was and he gave me a first name, but seemed reluctant to give the name of the organisation, but eventually described it as the Parliamentary Training Initiative. I told him I was busy. He hung up.

Just had a call from this number, claiming to be representing the DTI, and looked them up while she yabbered on. The lady sounded quite indignant when I told her it was a scam and put the phone down ;0) Wish I could link this site to my caller ID!

God bless Google - call from Jonathan Rosebury from the 'Parliamentary Information Office' (of which there is no such thing) wanting to speak with our Managing Partner about an important Government initative on Defence - he said they wanted to consult the 'experts'.

All the marks of what is mentioned above, posh accent and forcefull - avoid avoid avoid!

Received a pushy call from an "Adrian Sterling" at this number, asking to be put through to a couple of our managing directors. He claimed that their email was down and that he therefore couldn't send an email to us.

He claimed that he was calling from the government - isn't it illegal to pass yourself off as a member of government / the civil service?

Had a phone call from Adrian Sterling, claiming he was working on behalf of BURA on a report on government regeneration projects. He said it was showcasing best practice and local government minister John Healey was contributing. Similar spiel to Martin's comment above - claimed six organisations were being showcased and I would be offered space to 'represent the region'. Cost would be £4950.

Chipping Sodbury Farmers Market Here.
 Our call received 15/7/09  Suprisingly Blakes is listed in an old Press Guide buy yheuy only give Blakes name when you ring them.
You may get a call from a researcher from the "Parliamentary Information Office"  researching Government Initiatives.  This is a clever ploy to get a very expensive advertisement in a directory,  We have not been caught but the script is very convincing. . Apparently they will accept agreement from even a volunteer telephone answerer  and legal action follows if you try and repudiate their claim of an order being placed.

They are at it again, 3 calls today, now £2750.00 to advertise.......

Tom Stevens called about inclusion in the Parliamentary Yearbook for 2010. He was willing to promote our company in this prestigious publication for £2750. I suggested he was wasting his time as he was unable to provide me with the names of the other 5 companies who had taken up his offer - his knowledge of our sector was also very superficial. He tried to offer a 20% discount as it was becoming obvious that I was not interested in his publication.
Tom Stevens was very well spoken and had a tendancy to talk over you throughout the call - beware of this conman.

Called received from Alex Hing supposedly Head of Training for the Parliamentary Office. Started call saying that one of my contacts (who's name i do know)had recommended that he speak to me because he is compiling a report for the government about boosting the national skills level and that they would like my input. Transpired that they are looking for companies to advertise in their directory.
If the Parliamentary Yearbook is a bona fide and respected publication, those reading it should be aware of the bad tactics that go into encouraging contributors to part with their money.

Just received a call from this company.. Blakes. They didn't know anything of what I did, and when I told him that I had just started my company 2 years ago and was too small to contribute to the yearbook, he said 'Oh have you just started as a company?' Then after a few sentences, 'Ah! We have chosen you because you are an upcoming firm that the government wants to encourage!!' That was the giveaway, and of course the hardsell on the prices. Told him I need time to think and will refuse when he calls next.

parlimentary book, only a mere 4500 or 70000 odd quid for advert , bargin! :)

plenty of Digital britain buzz words, name dropping etc..

denied.