§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the detailed rules under which British companies working on strategic defence initiative related contracts will have to operate in importing technology from the United States of America.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe detailed arrangements for United Kingdom participation are contained in a secret memorandum of understanding. British companies are being suitably informed of provisions that affect their interests.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the value of a strategic defence such as that envisaged in strategic defence initiative research against tactical low trajectory missiles, such as those deployed by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics against European targets.
§ Mr. Norman LamontIt would be premature at this stage to form judgments about the feasibility of defences against low trajectory ballistic missiles.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the ownership of the rights to the technology that emerges from any United Kingdom-United States of America collaboration on strategic defence initiative-related research.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe matter of protection of intellectual property generated in the United Kingdom is fully covered in the arrangements that have been agreed.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what agreement he has reached with the United States Secretary for Defence on the protection of British interests in relation to strategic defence initiative research.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI am satisfied that the arrangements that have been agreed fully protect British interests.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations he had from scientists opposed to Her Majesty's Government's policy of promoting strategic defence initiative-related research.
§ Mr. Norman LamontNone since the announcement of the Government's instruction to conclude a memorandum of understanding with the United States on this subject.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the terms of his advice to British industry 214W concerning the scope offered by the strategic defence initiative agreement to British companies for dollar contracts and the conditions which would have to be fulfilled if such contracts are to be obtained;
(2) what examination he has made of the implications for patent law of sales by British universities of the product of strategic defence initiative-related research; and what steps he has taken to ensure that the agreement with the United States on strategic defence initiative safeguards the patent law interests of United Kingdom companies in relation to United States companies;
(3) what detailed steps he is taking to protect intellectual property in relation to strategic defence initiative initiatives;
(4) what detailed undertakings he has reached with the United States Administration about eliminating delay in the granting of permits for importing and exporting strategic defence initiative-related technology.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI have nothing to add to the answer I have already given earlier today.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the areas he has identified in which British scientists have special expertise of interest to the strategic defence initiative, including lasers, advanced materials and electro-magnetic guns.
§ Mr. Norman LamontA list of 18 potential work areas has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence in what areas the strategic defence initiative office will carry out its own research to find opportunities for British participation in strategic defence initiative programmes.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe SDI participation office will seek actively with its United States counterpart and British interests to identify opportunities for British participation in SDI research programmes.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has as to which British companies have already negotiated contracts related to the strategic defence initiative.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI am aware of several opportunities which have reached an advanced stage, but not of any that have yet been concluded.