To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much his Department spent on researching, producing, distributing and publicising the British Crime Survey in (a) 2004-05, (b) 2005-06 and (c) 2006-07; and if he will make a statement; (136729)

[holding answers 14 May 2007]: Following competitive tender, the Home Office commissioned an external survey research company to carry out the British Crime Survey on its behalf. The cost of this contract in each of the years asked about was (a) £4.5 million in 2004-05, (b) £4.6 million in 2005-06 and (c) £4.8 million in 2006-07.

The print and distribution costs of the annual and quarterly version of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Crime in England and Wales, was £19,000 in 2004-05; £19,000 in 2005-06; and, £14,000 in 2006-07. The cost of print and distribution has reduced as accessing Home Office statistics on-line has become more popular.