§ Mr. Wakehamasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what are the criteria used by the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, in selecting speculative research projects;
(2) what are the methods adopted by which the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, markets the findings of its speculative research projects; and whether they bring their products to the attention of all potential licensees;
(3) what safeguards the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, adopts when selling or licensing the fruits of its speculative research projects to ensure that the compeitive position of any British company is not impaired.
(4) what speculative research projects have been undertaken by the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, during the four years ended 31 December 1978; and what sales or licensing agreements have been entered into in respect of those projects.
§ Mr. EadieThe Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, does not undertake speculative—that is, unsponsored—research into non-nuclear matters. AERE Harwell does, however, carry out a significant amount of sponsored research work paid for by industrial customers, Government Departments and requirements boards. In taking on this work, AERE Harwell has regard to all the relevant circumstances including the 835W general value of the work to UK industry.
The question of choosing a licensee arises only where developments are sponsored by Government Departments or arise from the nuclear programme. In these cases, AERE Harwell follows normal commercial practice in surveying all likely licensees on the grounds of known technical and marketing capability. AERE Harwell is particularly concerned to seek United Kingdom firms most likely to carry out a successful operation, and only licenses firms situated outside the UK with the approval of the relevant Government Department.
In the four years ended 31 December 1978, AERE Harwell has entered into over 4,000 sponsored contracts in excess of £1,000 for specific research and development projects. In the same period, 51 licensing agreements have been signed covering a range of items including for example fecralloy steels, coal ash monitors and computer software.