Written question asked by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 13 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 May 2004. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Thursday, 20 May 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2004, 419 c1480-81W on Iraq, what the total cost was of all surveys conducted over the last 12 months; what further surveys have been conducted since those disclosed to the honourable Member for North Norfolk subsequent to the Answer; and if he will place copies of each in the Library.

Answer: Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 31 March 2004, Official Report, columns 1480-81W, on Iraq, what the total cost was of all surveys conducted over the last 12 months; what further surveys have been conducted since those disclosed to the hon. Member for North Norfolk subsequent to the answer; and if he will place copies of each in the Library. [174334] Mr. Caplin: Information on the totality of quantitative and qualitative surveys carried out by the Ministry of Defence and its agencies and non- departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, in the Financial Year 2003-04 the total cost of external corporate-level public opinion surveys undertaken by Ministry of Defence was £86,450.62 (including VAT). This includes expenditure on survey work carried out in late 2002-03 but not paid for until Financial Year 2003-04. This figure is provisional and subject to final audit. No further surveys have been conducted subsequent to my answer of 31 March 2004, Official Report, columns 1480-81W.

Secondary information