§ Mrs. Reneé Shortasked the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the defence budget has been spent on research and development for each year since 1970 in 1979 prices; and what percentage this represents in each case.
§ Mr. PymThe information is as follows:
Year Defence R&D £ million September 1979 prices Percentage of Defence Budget 1970–71 947 10 1971–72 1,015 11 1972–73 1,039 11 1973–74 1,067 12 1974–75 1,090 12 1975–76 1,173 12 1976–77 1,145 12 1977–78 1,187 13 1978–79 1,242 14 1979–80 1,306 14 The figures for 1970–71 to 1978–79 are actual outturn. The figure for 1979–80, for which the final outturn is not yet available, is the original estimate.
§ Mrs. Reneé Shortasked the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the defence budget was spent on research in universities for each year since 1970 at 1979 prices; and what percentage this represents in each case.
§ Mr. PymThe information is as follows:
Year Defence spent on research at universities £ million September 1979 prices Percentage of Defence Budget 1970–71 4.7 0.05 1971–72 3.2 0.03 1972–73 4.1 0.05 1973–74 5.1 0.06 1974–75 5.0 0.06 1975–76 4.2 0.04 1976–77 5.3 0.06 1977–78 4.2 0.05 1978–79 3.6 0.04 1979–80 3.8 0.04 The figures for 1970–71 to 1978–79 are actual outturn. The figure for 1979–80, for which the final outturn is not yet available, is the original estimate.
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§ Mrs. Reneé Shortasked the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the defence budget he estimates will be spent on research and development in the current financial year; what percentage of the total budget this represents; and what percentage of this will be spent on research in universities.
§ Mr. PymProvision for research and development in 1980–81 amounts to £1,343 million at September 1979 price levels, representing 14 per cent. of the total defence budget. Provision for research at universities is £3.8 million or 0.04 per cent. of the total defence budget.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements exist between his Department and other Government Departments on the question of research and development so as to avoid duplication of research.
§ Mr. PymThe Ministry of Defence undertakes research, on repayment, to support a number of civil programmes, including aerospace, navigation and electronics. To minimise the risks of duplication, there is regular consultation, both formal and informal, between defence and civil scientific and technical staffs.