§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) opinion polling and (b) market research projects his Department has undertaken in the last financial year; and what the costs were of each project. [149729]
§ Fiona MactaggartThe Home Office research department undertakes a wide range of research activities that support the development of information-led policy, including scientific and social research, and includes research gathered from market research and focus groups.
The Department conducts or commissions market and opinion research and focus groups only when it is justified by the specific needs of a particular policy or programme and when this is the most economical, efficient and effective way to achieve the purpose. 442W Consulting and involving the public helps inform both policy formulation and the delivery of better quality public services.
A table of commissioned projects involving opinion polling and market research included at Appendix 1, and also placed in the Library. It has not been possible to provide detailed breakdown of costs of projects where this information is either not held centrally or is commercial in confidence.