HL Deb 26 June 1995 vol 565 cc39-40WA
Lord Pearson of Rannoch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that the results of the survey carried out by the Confederation of British Industry, and mentioned by Baroness Chalker of Wallasey on 7th June (H.L. Deb., col. 1349), can be relied on as an indicator of national business opinion and, if so, why.

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Earl Ferrers)

The Confederation of British Industry survey reports the responses of 579 firms. The survey is therefore a credible indicator of national business opinion. My Department, in assessing business opinion, does not of course rely solely on this survey.