HC Deb 03 May 2001 vol 367 cc710-1W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the research undertaken by his Department by subject, indicating where the research was undertaken, by whom it was carried out, and the cost of each piece of research since 1996. [159793]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The Home Office research department undertakes a wide range of research activities that support the development of information-led policy, including scientific and engineering research, market and opinion research and social research.

The Research Development and Statistics Directorate (RDS) conducts social research supporting all seven Home Office aims.

The Science and Technology Unit sponsors scientific research in support of the police.

The Fire Research and Development Group (FRDG) undertake research in support of Home Office aim 7. The Fire and Emergency Planning Directorate has also conducted a range of social research.

The Emergency Planning Research Group (EPRG) carries out a wide mix of research, both intra-mural and extra-mural, in support of Home Office aim 7. The research findings are used to formulate evidence-based policy of promoting the co-ordination and development of effective national arrangements for integrated emergency management.

For the available information on market and opinion research, including that conducted by the Communication Directorate, I refer to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 25 May 2000, Official Report, column 623W.

The Assessment and Consultancy Unit (ACU) undertook research indirectly in support of Aims 1, 3, 4 and 7, via their research into selection and development issues affecting Police, Fire and Prison Services, also currently some research for the Cabinet Office.

In addition the Home Office has undertaken the following research:

  1. (1) Home Office Briefings Research—awarded to Mori
  2. (2) Fieldwork with asylum seekers to investigate their experience of the voucher scheme
  3. (3) Research has been undertaken by various private companies on behalf of the Home Office Buildings and Estate Management Unit into components for use in police cells. The overall cost was in the region of £50,000 since 1996.

I have arranged for the following more detailed information on the Home Office research programme to be placed in the Library:

  1. (1) A copy of the RDS annual work programmes for 1997–98 onwards, together with a list of research contracts let by the directorate. A list of RDS publications is available on the Home Office website and copies are also placed in the Library.
  2. (2) The FRDG annual business plans and Review of Research for 1996–97 (publication No. 7/97); 1997/99 (Publication 2/99) and 2000/01 (Publication 6/2000) are available in the Library.
  3. (3) Summary details of research conducted by the Fire and Emergency-planning department.
  4. (4) A table summarising details of the EPRG research programme since 1996.
  5. (5) An updated list of market opinion research conducted by the department since the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 25 May 2000, Official Report, column 623W.
  6. (6) Details of the ACU research programme.
  7. (7) A table summarising details of the police science and technology research programme since 1996.

Some of the information requested such as more detailed breakdown costs by project and where research was undertaken are not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.