HC Deb 07 August 1940 vol 364 cc235-7W
Mr. Lyons

asked the Minister of Information on what basis, and by whom, are the areas chosen for personal canvass of householders by the officers of his Department now employed for that purpose; what expenses are incurred and allowed; what discretion on localities is permitted to the officials; and whether they are concerned with the distribution of any literature emanating from his or any other Department at the houses visited?

Mr. Cooper

The areas in which a personal canvass is to be made by War-time Social Survey are chosen by officers of the Home Intelligence Branch of the Ministry of Information in consultation with the senior officials of the survey. This choice is determined first by the desirability of obtaining results from representative areas; secondly, by the nature of the questions and their relevance to particular areas; and thirdly by considerations of economy in travelling. The interviewers are allowed third-class travelling expenses and a maintenance allowance of 11s. per night when working in the provinces. The interviewers are concerned only with the collection of information and not with its distribution or with propaganda. In cases where a study is made of the public reaction to official literature already distributed through other agencies, interviewers may be instructed to show a copy of the document (for example, the leaflet "If the Invader Comes") in order that the person interviewed may correctly identify it.

Mr. Lyons

asked the Minister of Information whether he will publish a list of names of the officials now employed by his Department for personal interrogation of householders, together with their previous occupations and the present salaries and terms of engagement; and whether any recourse was had to the Central Register of the Minister of Labour in connection with these appointments or any of them?

Mr. Cooper

In answer to the first part of the Question, I do not know the names of the interviewers in question who are not civil servants but are employed by War-time Social Survey, an independent organisation working under the auspices of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. As regards their previous occupations, some of these persons are professional social workers, some are professional market research workers, and some are persons with a university training who have special aptitude for interviewing. Their salaries range from £4 19s. to £6 per week according to qualifications and experience; their employment is terminable in the majority of cases at two days' notice, but some of the most highly qualified interviewers are engaged on a monthly basis. In answer to the last part of the Question, these interviewers being market research workers were recruited not from the Central Register of the Ministry of Labour, but from the registers appropriate to their respective professions, namely the Royal Society register, the register of the Institute of Incorporated Practitioners in Advertising, the University of London Appointments Board, and the register of the Women's Employment Federation.

Sir R. Glyn

asked the Minister of Information whether the regional commissioners are responsible for the appointment of the investigators charged with the task of calling upon householders and making notes on behalf of the Ministry, War-time Social Survey; and, if not, by whom are these persons appointed and to whom do they render a report?

Mr. Cooper

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on 31st July in reply to the hon. and gallant*** Member for Epsom (Sir A. Southby) and the hon. and learned Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons), of which I am sending him a copy.