§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is the case as reported in the New Scientist of 16th February 1986 that the Ministry of Defence has no guidelines for British firms and institutions entering into the contracts with the United States Strategic Defence Initiative Office and that they will "have to settle such … questions as intellectual property rights themselves".
§ The Minister of State for Defence Support (Lord Trefgarne)The report referred to is incorrect. The United Kingdom Strategic Defence Initiative Participation Office, working together with the British Embassy in Washington, is available to help British companies obtain contracts in the US SDI programme within the context of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 6th December 1985. Guidance will be available on all relevant points, including intellectual property rights.