House of Commons Hosts MRS Debate on Focus Groups 18/10/2000 "Political policy making is giving focus groups a bad name" - this is the subject of a highly topical debate, which is being held at the House of Commons on 23 October, sponsored by The Market Research Society (MRS). Speaking for the motion will be The Rt Hon Peter Brooke MP, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and Marilyn Baxter, Chairman, Hall & Partners Europe Ltd. Standing in opposition is Prosper Riley-Smith, Chairman of Davies Riley-Smith Maclay and former Chairman of the Association of Research Practitioners, and Lord Bell, Chairman, Chime Communications. Lord McIntosh of Haringey will be in the Chair. Representatives from the fields of market research, advertising, direct marketing and public relations will be attending the event, which has been organised by The Debating Group. Demand for tickets has been particularly strong due to the highly topical nature of the debate. Recently there has been significant exposure of focus groups and their use by political parties, and this forum will present the case by some of the most knowledgeable figures in the industry. According to Debrah Harding, Head of Standards and Policy for The Market Research Society, "The use of qualitative research in public sector and political markets is widely misunderstood. This forum will provide the ideal opportunity for figures from a political and market research background to come together and debate this highly controversial topic. It promises to be a very informative and dynamic forum." For further details on the event or to obtain tickets, please contact Doreen Blythe at The Debating Group on 020 8994 9177.