HC Deb 21 January 1988 vol 125 cc775-6W
Ms. Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many research contracts or agreements for research and development his Department has with Southampton university; and into which subjects;

(2) how many contracts or agreements for research and development his Department has with the university of Aston in Birmingham; and into which subjects;

(3) how many contracts or agreements for research and development his Department is currently placing in United Kingdom universities or other such educational establishments; and at what cost for the financial years 1986–87 and 1987–88;

(4) if he will list the universities, polytechnics, medical schools or other such educational establishments in the United Kingdom at which research directly or indirectly sponsored by his Department is taking place or has taken place over the last two years;

(5) how many contracts or agreements for research and development his Department has with the university of Birmingham; and into which subjects.

Mr. Sainsbury

The Ministry of Defence currently has 753 research agreements and 76 contracts with a wide range of United Kingdom universities, polytechnics and other institutions of education. In addition, the MOD is participating with the research councils in making joint-funded grants for university research of relevance to defence.

The cost of research and development in the academic sector during the financial years 1986–87 was £14 million and is forecast to be some £18 million in 1987–88. It is not our policy to give details of these arrangements. It is for the universities themselves to confirm their involvement.

Ms. Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has awarded any classified research contracts or agreements to United Kingdom universities or other such educational institutions.

Mr. Sainsbury

There are currently no classified research contracts with universities or other educational establishments. It is however MOD's practice to place work at universities and other establishments of higher education by agreements rather than by formal contracts, and at present there are three classified agreements.

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