§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy with regard to, and extent of, the commissioning of research projects in universities and polytechnics by Government communications headquarters.
§ Mr. Douglas Hogg[pursuant to his reply, 23 June 1992, c. 108.]: GCHQ, in common with other Government Departments and private industry, commissions research from universities or polytechnics when they are able to offer a particular area of expertise. Research is confined to unclassified subjects and the results may he published by the university or polytechnic if it wishes for the benefit of the academic community as a whole. Over the last four years seven research contracts totalling £506,953 have been placed by GCHQ with four institutions.