I am very grateful to the Committee of this Conference for giving me the opportunity to say a few words about the aims and methods of social surveys. I must, however, confess that I was somewhat astonished when I got the invitation, because everybody interested in this topic knows that the most eminent experts within this field are English. It would, therefore, seem unnecessary to ask a foreigner to read this paper, and after having heard the lectures of Dr. Lewis and Dr. Blacker I feel still more convinced that I shall not be able to add anything of importance to their excellent presentations.