§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the projects undertaken by his Department since 1 May 1997 to research public reaction to(a) Government policies and (b) potential new policies; and if he will place the results of the research in the Library. [46685]
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§ Mr. Geoffrey Robinson[holding answer 30 June 1998]: In line with the practice of successive Administrations, the Chancellor's Departments routinely consult the public, interested parties and client groups by way of consultation papers, White Papers and a variety of other avenues on a wide range of policies and proposed legislation. My reply is therefore confined to research studies into public reaction to Government policy or potential new policies.
The projects funded by the Chancellor's Departments since 1 May 1997 to research public reaction to Government policies and potential new policies are as follows:
Self Assessment for tax public information campaign:To track levels of awareness and understanding of SA; to monitor understanding of the help available from the Inland Revenue to cope with the new system; and developmental research into elements of the campaign.SA Budget Payment Plans:Research into taxpayer views on payment methods.Two alcohol and tobacco smuggling surveys:To measure public perception and understanding of smuggling; and to assess the potential effectiveness of anti-smuggling publicity strategy proposals.The results of these surveys have been placed in the Library.
I also refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) on 19 May 1998, Official Report, column 303, and for East Worthing and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) on 1 July 1998 Official Report, column 181, concerning research into presentational aspects of the individual savings account and the working families tax credit and into various surveys of PEP/TESSA holders.