§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what programmes his Department is(a) running and (b) supporting aimed at (i) introducing the humanitarian community to the military and security technology available and (ii) familiarising the technology community with the scope and problems of those dealing 51W with complex humanitarian emergencies and international refugee crises; how long these programmes have been running; and if he will make a statement. [136665]
§ Mr. IngramThe Ministry of Defence research and technology programme is geared towards providing the UK armed forces with battle-winning technology. A number of technologies developed under the auspices of this programme may have humanitarian applications, though the development of the technology for humanitarian purposes would fall to the Department for International Development (DfID).
Where possible the MOD aims to make the results of its research available to industry, through technology transfer and technology spin-out, where commercial development of the technology is best carried out.