HC Deb 19 April 2004 vol 420 cc95-6W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of total expenditure by his Department on(a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year from 1995–96 to 2003–04; and if he will make a statement. [162751]

Fiona Mactaggart

Detailed information in the form requested is not held centrally in the finance system of the Core Home Office. It could be provided only at a disproportion cost.

The Home Office is committed to obtaining best value for money and wants to hear what people have to say about new policies and ideas. Contracts for research through focus groups and opinions polls are let in accordance with agreed procurement procedures.

The Home Office makes extensive use of research to inform the development, delivery and evaluation of policy.