HC Deb 31 July 1974 vol 878 cc219-20W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will seek powers to ensure that publication of opinion polls is limited to the statistics of the poll and associated data;

(2) if he will seek powers to ensure that all relevant data relating to size of sample, socio-economic grouping, questions asked, time taken, type of sample and other information is published with opinion polls.

Dr. Summerskill

No. While we sympathise with the object that there should be the fairest possible presentation of the results of public opinion polls, we do not consider that this matter is susceptible to statutory regulation; or that even if it were practicable it would be right to prohibit publication of analysis and comment with the results.