HC Deb 16 March 1998 vol 308 cc507-8W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what date he required NOP's research on Attitudes to Euro Elections and Electoral Reform to be completed; [34142]

(2) what was the cost of the NOP research on Attitudes to Euro Elections and Electoral Reform; [34144]

(3) if he approved the methodology employed by NOP in their research on Attitudes to Euro Elections and Electoral Reform; [34146]

(4) how many members of the public were involved in (a) focus group discussions and (b) in other ways in the NOP research on Attitudes to Euro Elections and Electoral Reform; [34145]

(5) on what date he commissioned NOP to carry out the research entitled Attitudes to Euro Elections and Electoral Reform. [34143]

Mr. George Howarth

The decision to commission a study into voters' attitudes was taken in December 1997. A number of potential individuals and organisations who might have been interested in carrying out the task were contacted. National Opinion Poll (NOP) were formally commissioned to undertake the study on 13 February. They were asked to report by 27 February.

Their methodology was approved by Home Office officials acting on behalf of my right hon. Friend.

NOP' s study involved six groups, each of between six and eight people. A total of 40 members of the public were involved.

The cost of the study was £9,800 plus Value Added Tax.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors underlay his decision to select the Belgium electoral system for examination rather than the Danish electoral system. [34141]

Mr. George Howarth

Representations were made to my right hon. Friend by Charter 88 and the Liberal Democrats inviting him to consider the Belgian electoral system.

The Danish electoral system is considerably more complicated than the Belgian one, involving a two-tier seat allocation process and the use of three different divisors.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received since 25 November 1997 in favour of(a) an open list system and (b) a closed list system for electing MEPS. [34140]

Mr. George Howarth

Since 25 November 1997, the Home Office has received several hundred letters covering all aspects of electoral reform. It would not be possible, except at disproportionate cost, to identify separately those which expressed a view specifically on open and closed list systems for electing Members of the European Parliament.