§ 1. Mr. David Hanson (Delyn)What progress he is making with regard to the establishment of a defence diversification agency. [45218]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. John Spellar)We are now considering the responses to our consultative Green Paper on the establishment of a defence diversification agency. I hope that we shall be able to make an announcement before the summer recess on the way ahead.
§ Mr. HansonHas my hon. Friend seen recent research by the Institute for Public Policy Research, which showed that Britain has failed to capitalise commercially on its scientific success in the past? Does he agree that one of the reasons why we need a defence diversification agency is so that we can use the skills and talents in the defence sector to help boost and promote Britain's commercial success abroad?
§ Mr. SpellarMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. The pamphlet he mentions rightly draws attention to our failure to disseminate and diversify technical and scientific knowledge. It has been a failing across British industry, particularly in the scientific sector. British industry has suffered as a result and we believe that a defence diversification agency would play a major role in redressing the position.