Credit Card Companies Must Waive Charges On Tsunami Donations

2.50.35pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 4th Jan 2005

Responding to news that credit card companies will potentially make money from the transaction charges on donations to the tsunami appeal, Vince Cable MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor and MP for Twickenham said: "We are concerned that the lack of sensitivity by credit card companies will cause a strong public reaction unless quick action is taken to waive charges.

"There has been enormously strong public support for fund raising effort and it would be completely unacceptable for companies would be seen to be making money out of it. This is particularly true of credit card companies where there is a long history of a lack of transparency and a suspicion of excessive charges.

"Credit card companies must come out clearly and say they will waive charges."