§ Mr. MacKayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on opinion research in the financial year 1999–2000. [123049]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe Government are committed to consulting and involving the public to help inform policy formulation and the delivery of better quality public services. Both are an important part of the Modernising Government initiative.
The Government only commission market or opinion research when it is justified by the needs of the policy or programme and is the most economical, efficient and effective way to achieve the purpose.
During the financial year 1999–2000, the amount spent on opinion research was £658,521. This information is broken down as follows:
669W
£ Department of Agriculture and Rural Development 20,536 Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure 13,000 Department of Education 5,975 Department of Environment 16,590 Department for Regional Development 15,050 Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment 39,695 Department of Finance and Personnel 23,000 Department of Health, Social Services and PS 20,000 Department of Higher and Further Education, TE 346,375
£ Department for Social Development 56,315 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister 11,000 Northern Ireland Office 90,985 Responsibility in respect of research carried out by the Northern Ireland Departments has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. MacKayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list opinion research projects undertaken on behalf of the Department in the financial year 1999–2000 itemising(a) focus group research, (b) quantitative surveys and (c) other market research surveys, indicating in each case (i) when and (ii) where the results were published. [123050]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe information for the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments has been placed in the Library.
Responsibility in respect of research carried out by the Northern Ireland Departments has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.