HL Deb 11 June 1986 vol 476 cc378-9WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether a United States Department of Defense study is being conducted into all British technological capabilities that might be of relevance to the Strategic Defense Initiative, and if so for what purpose; and whether the study is being conducted with the co-operation of the British Government.

The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)

Part of the activity preceding signature of the US/UK Memorandum of Understanding on UK participation in the US SDI research programme was an examination by officials of both governments of the technological capabilities of each other's industry and research organisations, with the joint purpose of identifying broad areas of research where the UK could participate in SDI research; and, additionally on the UK side, the objective of developing a fuller knowledge and understanding of the content and direction of the UK programme. This examination gave way to a series of joint technical workshops, led by officials, in which personnel from UK industry and research organisations were involved, and with the object of defining early opportunities for UK participation in SDI research. Beyond this, there is a regular two-way traffic of officials and personnel from industry and research organisations with the purpose of defining or following up specific business opportunities.

All these activities have taken place under the auspices of the government concerned, or with their co-operation and subject to any necessary controls, as appropriate.