§ 75. Sir David Maxwell Fyfeasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent the British Market Research Bureau, Limited, of 6, Grafton Street, London, W.1, is supported by public funds; to what extent its activities have been sponsored by the Government; and what type of information it has compiled for the Government.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallIt is not supported by public funds. It is a commercial firm employed on a commercial basis from time.to time by Government Departments 1645 to survey certain aspects of public opinion and behaviour. Examples of such work are surveys of the state of retailers' stocks for the Board of Trade, of the working of the points rationing scheme for the Ministry of Food, and of the number of persons who read the Highway Code.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeCan the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that answer with the fact that on Merseyside their questions were, "What do you think of reform of the House of Lords?" and "How will you vote at the next Election?" Is that done with Government Department support?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallI have no knowledge of the questions quoted by the right hon. and learned Gentleman. I can hardly imagine them fitting in the with the answer I have given.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeIn view of the right hon. Gentleman's last admission, will he cause inquiries to be made into the questions asked?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallI certainly will; but I find it very difficult to believe that the questions which have now been quoted to the House by the right hon. and learned Gentleman have anything to do with the inquiries to which I have referred.
§ Dr. Stephen TaylorIs my hon. Friend aware that this firm, besides Government work, does jobs for newspapers and other bodies?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give that I shall ask leave to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.