§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make it her policy that fixed term contract staff(a) employed and (b) funded by research councils will not be required to sign waiver clauses in their employment contracts. [18628]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 2 December 1997]: The Research Councils fund research in higher education institutions and other organisations in which the institution is responsible for the terms and conditions of employment of staff recruited to carry out the research. With very few exceptions, the Research Councils already make no requirement on institutions to include waiver clauses in the relevant contracts of employment. The Research Councils also employ research staff directly in their own institutes and units. The Management Statement and Financial Memorandum which sets the framework for the relationship between the Councils and the Office of Science and Technology requires the Councils to use waiver clauses in certain fixed-term employment contracts. We will keep that document under review.