The Culture Media and Sport Select Committee has launched a new inquiry into the touting of tickets for sporting and cultural events.

The committee said it is particularly interested in looking at the underlying causes of touting and its impact on performers, promoters and the public and whether resale of a ticket, whether at face value or at a higher value, should be permitted.

It will also study the impact of the internet on the ticket trade and whether to make the ticket selling by an unauthorised person in a public place illegal – as it is for events such as a football match or the 2012 Olympics – across the board.

Written submissions are invited from any interested individual or organisation by 6 June, and it is expected that oral evidence will be given later that month.

The committee is chaired by John Whittingdale, the Conservative MP for Maldon and East Chelmsford. Details: www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees