To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2007, Official Report, column 1282W, on teachers: public opinion, what (a) discussion groups and (b) other qualitative and quantitive opinion research of teachers commissioned by his Department have been conducted in each of the last six months. (178424)

The Department often commissions research which involves both quantitive and qualitative research methods. However, the appropriate data collection method varies depending on the research aims and the time and budget available to carry out the research project. Data on (a) other discussion groups and (b) other qualitative and quantitive opinion research of teachers commissioned by my Department is not readily available. Gathering this information would involve disproportionate cost.