Education (Parents' Views)

HC Deb 22 February 1989 vol 147 cc664-5W

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list in theOfficial Report the full list of questions asked in the market research survey conducted by MVA consultants of parents' views on Scottish education;

(2) what was the total cost of the survey conducted by MVA consultants of parents' views on Scottish education;

(3) what random process was used in the selection of interviewees for the purposes of conducting the MVA survey of parents' attitudes towards Scottish education;

(4) what was the total number of people contacted (a) per region and (b) per age group in the course of the MVA survey of parents' attitudes towards Scottish education.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 20 February 1989]: The main fieldwork on the recently commissioned survey of parents' views on Scottish education has not yet begun and would not be helped by releasing the list of questions before interviews take place. The consultants are an established market research organisation and are responsible for the methodology, including detailed arrangements for organising and conducting the fieldwork.

As regards the cost of the survey, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 13 February to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Garscadden (Mr. Dewar) at column 43.