§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the employment of polling or public survey organisations by his Department during the current and previous financial years, on the organisations employed by his Department, on the values of individual contracts for these services, on the total amounts of money spent and on the purposes of the research undertaken by these organisations. [14511]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Department funds a comprehensive range of research and evaluation work to assist in achieving the aim of promoting a competitive, efficient and flexible labour market. The forward programme is advertised in theEmployment Gazette and potential contractors, some of whom may conduct polling and public survey work, are invited to register an interest in projects within the programme. Contracts are awarded following competitive tendering in line with Government purchasing procedures. Details of all research and evaluation work commissioned within the Employment Department group are published in our annual reports on research and in regular research updates in the Employment Gazette.