§ 34. Mr. Brooksasked the Secretary of State for Defence what obligations under the Official Secrets Act are placed upon the members of those university departments which are conducting defence research sponsored by his Department.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe provisions in the Official Secrets Acts relating to contractors are of general application. The attention of those concerned is, however, drawn to the provisions of the Official Secrets Acts when the contract is classified or likely to lead to access to classified information, and they are asked to sign a declaration to the effect that their attention has been drawn to the Act and that they understand its effect. None of the current Ministry of Defence research contracts with university departments is classified, and in all such cases there is a recognition in the contract conditions that it is scientific practice to publish results freely.
§ Mr. BrooksI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he not agree that classified research is incompatible with academic freedom and should properly be kept to a minimum? Will he indicate the position of those representative of university departments who come into contact with those engaged on research projects let by the Ministry of Defence who may subsequently wish to publish the results of the joint research?
§ Mr. MorrisAs I told my hon. Friend, none of the present contracts is classified. While we cannot waive any statutory obligation when there is classified information, we would wish generally to have as few restrictions as possible, consistent with national security, which would be liberally interpreted if there were any wish to publish.