§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all qualitative and quantitative research projects and surveys carried out for his Department into aspects of public attitudes and opinions(a) in general and (b) in relation to specific policy proposals in each of the past three years to December 1995, indicating for each project or survey (i) the date on which the research was commissioned, (ii) the amount which his Department spent, (iii) who carried out the research, (iv) the number of people surveyed or taking part, (v) the location and time scale and (vi) which individuals and organisations have been given access to the findings. [5980]
§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson[holding answer 14 December 1995]: Information is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
The Department's policy is to canvass relevant views of the public wherever this is appropriate and cost-effective, and to make responses widely available subject to any essential safeguards of confidentiality.