§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what(a) regulations and (b) code of standards govern the opinion polling industry. [178184]
§ Mr. TimmsI have been asked to reply.
The Data Protection Act 1998 applies to market research and opinion polling. Professionally conducted market research and opinion polling should be carried out in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Guidelines of the Market Research Society.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps the Department is taking to ensure standards of accuracy and integrity in opinion polling. [178185]
§ Mr. TimmsI have been asked to reply.
These are matters for the industry's professional body, the Market Research Society, to address in the first instance.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans his Department has to undertake an investigation into the methods used by polling organisations to gather, use and present information. [178186]