§ 33. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the implications for industry generally of the non-military spin-off arising from strategic defence initiative-related research work in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherThe aim of the Department of Trade and Industry is to encourage maximum civil benefits from defence research and development. This applies equally to strategic defence initiative research and defence research. Although strategic defence research has long-term defence applications as its primary objective, some activities are also likely to lead to civil end uses. It is too early to predict the specific results of the research.