§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to the answer of 14 January, Official Report, column 912, he will list those aspects of the strategic defence initiative which were discussed at the meeting 185W between his Department's officials and Dr. Thompson of the department of artificial intelligence at Edinburgh university on 20 December 1985; what specific response his officials made to the points raised by Dr. Thompson regarding the attainability of appropriate physical and spatial conditions for testing certain aspects of strategic defence initiative research; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe discussion between officials and Dr. Thompson on 20 December 1985 identified the topics on which a further meeting with a group of staff from the department of artificial intelligence at Edinburgh university might concentrate. It was not the purpose of the meeting on 20 December to give responses to the points raised by Dr. Thompson.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the strategic defence initiative office to write to university vice-chancellors outlining areas of research of interest to strategic defence initiative planners; what form the letters will take; what discussions have already taken place with universities about an outline list of research projects; what will be the deadline for universities to submit proposals; and when he expects contracts to be awarded.
§ Mr. Norman LamontUniversities will be kept fully informed along with other interested parties of opportunities for participation in the SDI research programme by correspondence and by the activities of the Department of Education and Science representative working within the SDI participation office in the Ministry of Defence. There are no deadlines in this process. The award of contracts will be determined by such factors as the nature and strength of any interest that is shown by individual universities and their capabilities in the relevant fields.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what precise role the United Kingdom strategic defence initiative office will play in channelling contracts either with commercial companies involved in strategic defence initiative work or with the strategic defence initiative office in Washington; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe United Kingdom strategic defence initiative participation office, working together with Ministry of Defence staffs in the British Embassy, Washington, is available to help British companies obtain contracts in the US SDI research programme, within the context of the memorandum of understanding signed on 6 December 1985. As part of this process close contacts will be maintained with the US SDI organisation.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has about the implications for the scope, nature and costs of strategic defence initiative-related research in United Kingdom institutions of proposals arising from the American strategic defence initiative programme for the development of optical sensors, tracking devices and advanced electronic systems; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontAs for all technologies open to the United Kingdom for participation through the SDI research programmes there are opportunities for considerable advances. Those potentially involved will take into account such benefits and the resource implications of undertaking such work.
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§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has about the scope, objectives and cost of an SDI-related contract with Heriot Watt university for work on optical processing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe contract in question, of which I am aware, is a commercial matter between the parties concerned.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has about the nature and purpose of approaches by the United States Navy to Brunel university regarding SDI-related research into laser gyroscopes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI am aware of a general interest in the matter referred to, as one of many likely to feature as a possibility for United Kingdom participation in SDI research.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has about approaches by the United States strategic defence initiative office to United Kingdom institutions regarding possible research into X-ray lasers, high powered optical scans, laser communications, short wavelength lasers, composite materials, rocket fuels, electrochemical power sources, and the effect of clouds on beams; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe arrangements between the United States and United Kingdom Governments provide the opportunity for United Kingdom participation in SDI research in a number of advanced areas, of which some examples have been placed in the Library. The Ministry of Defence will assist United Kingdom companies or institutions who wish to participate in such research and have the capability to do so.