HC Deb 16 July 1990 vol 176 c446W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what formal links exist between universities and polytechnics and his Department, other than the awarding of contracts and agreements.

Mr. Neubert

The MOD currently funds six defence lectureships at British universities and is contributing towards the cost of the establishment and running of a new centre for defence studies at Kings college, university of London. Links are also maintained through the sponsorship of MOD personnel undertaking research and higher degrees at universities and polytechnics; and participation in seminars. Grants for work of relevance to defence are made under collaborative grants arrangements with the research councils. The MOD and the Science and Engineering Research Council co-fund awards to certain students who are jointly supervised by their university and defence research establishments. All activities are in support of the defence programme.