Written question asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 August 2011.

Government Departments: Research and Data

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 21 June (WA 279), what was the variation agreed in the project ““Marketing segmentation in the agriculture sector: Climate change””; and for what reason.

Answer: All Defra evidence contracts are closely monitored by Defra specialists working with policy colleagues. Contract variations are required if there are significant changes to any of the details in the original agreement (eg costs, required outputs, timetable, research team, et cetera). The variation to the contract for the project ““Market Segmentation in the Agriculture Sector: Climate Change”” was granted to ensure that the contractors increased the number of farmers interviewed as part of this social science study to a more statistically robust level. The additional cost of this work was £1,000. Workshops designated for this purpose had to be delayed due to restrictions on communications before the 2010 general election until a busy period in farmers’ annual cycles, and attendance was lower than expected.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 11271; 729 c466WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Government Departments: Research and Data
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Notes: Answer received between Monday 1 August 2011 and Monday 8 August 2011.
Subjects: Agriculture Climate change Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Research
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk