Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure has been incurred by the British Government on research and development work on the electro-magnetic propulsion of projectiles.
§ Mr. SainsburyIt is not our practice to give details of funding of particular projects. However, I can say that such funding represents only a very small proportion of the defence research programme.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work has been carried out by the royal armament research and development establishment on the electromagnetic propulsion of projectiles.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe royal armament research and development establishment has been undertaking research into electro-magnetic propulsion of projectiles since the early 1980s. It is not our practice to go into details of particular projects. However, it has a wide-ranging potential application for land, sea and air-based weapons.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any injuries have been caused as a result of research or development work into the electro-magnetic propulsion of projectiles.
§ Mr. SainsburyI am not aware of any injuries caused as a result of research or development work into electro-magnetic propulsion of projectiles undertaken in the United Kingdom.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Ministry of Defence has received any funding from the United States Department of Defence to carry out research or development work into the electromagnetic propulsion of projectiles.
§ Mr. SainsburyYes, in December 1986 for a period of three years.