HC Deb 08 February 1990 vol 166 cc774-5W
Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long is the present contract with the department of animal husbandry at Bristol university.

Mr. Neubert

It is not our policy to provide details of individual research arrangements.

Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many research contracts or agreements the chemical defence establishment has placed in universities and other institutions of higher education in each financial year since 1979; and what was their total financial value in each year since 1979;

(2) how many research contracts or agreements the chemical defence establishment is currently funding in universities and other institutions of higher education; what is their total value; how many universities and other institutions of higher education are currently receiving research contracts or agreements from the chemical defence establishment; and if he will give a full list of them.

Mr. Neubert

It is not our practice to provide historical data. There are 94 extant agreements to a total value of £11.8 million placed by CDE with 49 universities and other institutions of higher education but it is not departmental policy to provide details of these arrangements.

Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will obtain for his departmental library a recording of the Channel 4 programme, "Dispatches", 10 January, concerning military funding of research in universities and other institutions of higher education.

Mr. Neubert

A copy of this programme is held in the defence press office.

Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on the level of funding of research in universities and other institutions of higher education; and what are the reasons behind this policy.

Mr. Neubert

The MOD has funds available for research in support of the defence research programme, including extramural research at higher education institutions. Such work is placed there when considered appropriate to do so and if value for money procurement policies are satisfied.