COOPER’S SNOOPERS!

Grey River Argus, 2 August 1940, Page 7

COOPER’S SNOOPERS!

JOKE IN BRITAIN SQUNDING PUBLIC OPINION. CANVASSERS’ STRANGE JOB. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received August 1, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 1The canvassers of public opinion Tn war-time, who have been nicknamed “Cooper’s Snoopers,” were defended in the House of Commons by Rt. Hon. A. Duff Cooper (Minister of Information). He declared that the difficulty of ascertaining public opinion was greater in war-time than in peace-time. He said that, scientific methods had been used by newspapers and commercial firms. He stated that the Ministry of Information had decided, months ago, to utilise such « method, under the auspices of the National Institute of Economic arm Scientific Research; There are about sixty persons now employed, at salaries commensurate with the importance of the task. The information gained is being circulated to those departments to which it was likely to be useful. The system was started before his *Mr. DunCooper’s) arrival at the Ministry of Information.

"Cooper’s Snoopers” call, on an average, upon eight houses daily, it has been revealed that only about two per cent of the householders have objected to the questions being put to them. Recent questions asked have related to the effects of air raids and rationing. The answers given are confidential. The Ministry of Information has established an organisation after the succes s of similar surveys in recent years, particularly in America. “Damned Silly Nonsense’’ CHIEF CONSTABLE ON “SNOOPERS.” (Received August 1, 11-10 p.m.j LONDON, August t- „ Referring 'to “Cooper’s Snoopers,” some members of the House of Commons described the scheme as “wanton spying,” and as’ "a waste of public money.” ‘ The Chief Constable of Derby, it was pointed out, has warned the public not to answer the questicons or the Ministry of Information. He said: “It is a lot of damned silly nonsense. I am not going to have the people of this town worried by oificials knocking on their doors, ano then asking them what they think of the war, and other absurd question;. We have all got enough to do without this.” '