§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what use she and her Department has made of focus group research since June 2001; if she will identify for each research project the topics covered, the person or organisation carrying out the research, and the total cost; and if she will publish the research on her Department's website. [74988]
§ Dr. HowellsSince June 2001 my Department has made use of focus group research in 2 cases. In both cases the focus group research formed only one part of a larger project, but it is not possible to itemise this cost.
(1)A quantative survey into consumer attitudes into digital television made use of 3 focus groups including two groups exploring issues of concern to the blind/ partially sighted viewers and deaf/hard of hearing viewers. The survey was conducted by MORI and the total cost was £32,547. The research is published in full at http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk.
(2) The Regional Data Framework project, which is aiming to identify data sources and methodologies for gathering information at both regional and national level in general support of policy development across the DCMS sectors, made use of a number of focus groups. The project is being carried out by a consortium of consultants lead by Positive Solutions and the total cost 443W of the consultancy is £61,000. The findings from the Regional Data Framework project will be published on the Department's website http://www.culture.gov.uk in 2003.