65. Mr. Bob Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the savings of £30 million on the Defence Research and Development Programme forecast in the July White Paper have been achieved.
§ Mr. Mason:Yes, these cuts in the planned programme will be achieved.
66. Mr. Bob Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the work done in defence research and 134W development establishments has useful civil applications.
§ Mr. Mason:This year's Defence White Paper listed a number of civil applications of Defence Research and Development and I have recently given further examples in a reply to the hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Parkyn) on 21st November. Though it is difficult to quantify these benefits they are substantial and I am keen to promote civil spin-off from the Defence budget wherever possible.