§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to placing contracts for work on defence operational analysis with universities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HealeyAgreements with universities to carry out longer term research in aid of defence operational analysis work are made wherever appropriate. Two studies, involving exploratory work of interest to the study of land warfare, are at present being undertaken at Newcastle and Nottingham Universities; in addition, the Defence Operational Analysis Establishment has frequent less formal contacts with University faculties.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken to interest universities in defence studies.
§ Mr. HealeyArrangements have been concluded with certain universities to create an additional post in an existing faculty to specialise in the defence aspects of its discipline: five such appointments have so far been made at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, London (King's College), Oxford (All Soul's College) and Southampton. Two further appointments are currently under consideration.
Up to six fellowships are being awarded annually to selected senior officers and 332W officials to allow them to pursue research, or a course of advanced study, at a university or a similar academic institution. Four fellowships have been awarded for the current academic year, three at London (University College) and one at Oxford (St. Antony's College). Defence fellows for the academic year 1968–69 will be selected shortly. These fellowships are expected to prove a useful, long-term investment to both the Ministry of Defence and the universities concerned.
Other links are also being developed with universities in the social sciences. Machinery has been established to bring defence lecturers, defence fellows and universities in general into a closer relationship with the Ministry of Defence, to acquaint universities with the problems of defence, and to enable them to make a fuller contribution to their solution. Senior officers, officials and university representatives have participated in a number of study conferences and seminars on particular aspects of defence policy and an increasing number of such joint studies are planned for the future.