HC Deb 26 July 1999 vol 336 cc21-3W
Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the results of the opinion survey commissioned by the Parades Commission was published exclusively in theBelfast Telegraph; and if the full report is available to the public. [92953]

Mr. Ingram

This is a matter for the Parades Commission. However, I understand that two of the preliminary survey responses were made public at the time of the launch of the Commission's Annual Report. TheBelfast Telegraph, the largest circulating local daily newspaper, then requested full details for publication when these became available. No other media outlet requested such details.

Mr. Paul Murphy

NIO Ministers have met representatives of the US administration on a number of occasions, both in the United Kingdom and the US, to discuss a wide range of issues.

The following meetings have taken place between 1 May 1996 and 1 January 1998:

Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will place in the Library a copy of the final report of the opinion survey commissioned by the Parades Commission from Research and Evaluation Services. [92954]

Mr. Ingram

Copies of the final report will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as they become available and I will send a copy to the hon. Member.

Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the tender process for the commissioning of the recent public opinion survey undertaken by the Parades Commission; what was the fee agreed at time of contract; and what was the final cost. [92957]

Mr. Ingram

This is a matter for the Parades Commission. However, I understand that three companies were invited to tender for the opinion survey. The tenders submitted by each firm were evaluated in line with Government Purchasing Agency procedures. The fee agreed at the time of contract, and the final cost, was £9,500 plus VAT.

Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the method of participant selection for those members of the public interviewed by Research and Evaluation Services for the Parades Commission survey published this year. [92958]

Mr. Ingram

This is a matter for the Parades Commission. However, I understand that the representative aspect of the survey is documented, in table 3 of the survey, by age, sex, socio-economic status, religion and area of residence, and is compared to the 1991 census. Details of relevant numbers of each category are given in tables 2 and 3 of the Survey.

Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make available a copy of the questionnaire used by Research and Evaluation Services in the course of compiling their recent report for the Parades Commission. [92955]

Mr. Ingram

I understand the questionnaire is included in the final report of the opinion survey at Appendix 1.

Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the breakdown of participation by members of the public in the opinion survey undertaken by Research and Evaluation Services for the Parades Commission by(a) religion and (b) postcode. [92956]

Mr. Ingram

This is a matter for the Parades Commission. However, I understand that the breakdowns were as set out:

(a)
Religion Percentage sample
Roman Catholic 37
Protestant 56
None 2
Other 1
Refused 3
Total 99

(b) No breakdown of participation by postcode is available, but the interviewees reflect the geographic percentages of population relative to local government districts. These are shown in table 1 of the Survey.

Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the Parades Commission's opinion survey was not published until 21 June. [92952]

Mr. Ingram

This is a matter for the Parades Commission. However, I understand the final draft of the opinion survey was not available until 16 June 1999 and that the survey was published immediately on agreement of this final draft.