§ Mr. Coombsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what use is made of market research by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FowlerMy Department commissions studies which gather information on the need for a particular kind of service, on the extent to which existing services are achieving their aims, to assist in the development of policy, on the effectiveness of communications like forms, leaflets and advertisements and on the most effective way to react to a changing situation—for example, the 235W misuse of drugs. Market research is undertaken by outside organisations and educational establishments, but may also be undertaken by departmental staff, for example, to test whether a form is clear.