§ Mr. Dellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimated expenditure for 1971–72 on non-departmental research projects; what requirements he imposes regarding publication and consultation before publication ; whether deletions or alterations have been required or permission to publish refused in respect of all or part of any project whose results were submitted to his Department during the last 10 years ; and to what extent he controls entry for research purposes to departmentally-con-trolled institutions.
§ Mr. David PriceSeparate figures for research are not available ; nor are they for research carried out by persons as opposed to corporate bodies. On extramural research and development together, we estimate that we will spend £128,600,000 in the year 1971–72. Of this it is estimated that not more than 1 per cent. will be spent on projects undertaken by individual research workers in universities. If entry to an establishment is required in the furtherance of research, reasonable access will normally be available except where commercially confidential or classified defence work is in progress.
Publication of any work based on official information requires Departmental authority. The results of such work are also subject to Crown copyright and it is our usual practice to make this explicit in the commissioning contract. Whether or not this is granted, and whether a charge should be made, will depend upon the individual circumstances. It would involve disproportionate effort to determine the extent to which permission has been refused during the last ten years.