§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure has been incurred by his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in each of the last four years on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; and if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each. [27942]
§ Ms BlearsI apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 192W.
Copies of research reports are not routinely placed in the Library although a list giving details of market and opinion research undertaken by the Department is made available. A list of research projects carried out by the Department in the financial year 1999–2000 was placed in the Library in May 2000. A list of research projects undertaken by the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in 2000–01 and 2001–02 is being compiled and will be placed in the Library. These lists may not include all research projects, as some information is not centrally available.
A list of the Department's expenditure incurred on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research for the last four years could only be provided at disproportionate costs.
We are committed to consulting and involving the public to help inform both policy formulation and the delivery of better quality public service. Responsive public services are an important part of the Modernising Government initiative.
We only conduct or 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.