§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure has been incurred by his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental bodies in 2002 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. [106270]
§ Mr. LammyCopies 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, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies for the financial year 2001–02 is available in the Library, and 2002–03 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 expenditure incurred on opinion polling, focus groups and other forms of market research could be provided only 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 Modernising Government initiative.
We only conduct or commission market or opinion research when it is justified by the needs of the policy programme and is the most economical, efficient and effective way to achieve the purpose.