§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the responsibilities of the defence research information centre; what are the titles of the publications or bulletins which are published by the defence research information centre(a) regularly and (b) occasionally; and what is the function and nature of each of these publications or bulletins. [28044]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThis is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 9 May 1996:
I have been asked to reply to your question about the Defence Research Information Centre which is now part of the Defence Support Services division of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency of which I am Chief Executive.
The role of the Defence Research Information Centre, DRIC, based in Glasgow, is to act as a repository and source of information for all technical and scientific reports produced by or sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and its agencies. Some information is also held under international exchange agreements. Approved customers are entitled to draw on this information.
225WDRIC produces a number of bulletins for customers listing the information that is held. These and their functions are summarised in the table below.
Item Title Frequency Nature (content) Function A DRIC Abstracts Monthly and Quarterly Citations to classified reports of a scientific or technical nature which have been received from UK or overseas sources Dissemination within, or on behalf of MoD, of classified results of MoD B DRIC Standard Profiles Monthly Subject specific subset of DRIC Abstracts Selected subject categories of above C Overseas Citations Lists Monthly Lists of bibliographic details of overseas defence research publications Similar to item A but based solely on citation lists received from overseas. Raises awareness of their defence research activities D DRIC Newsletter Quarterly Customer information Keeping customers aware of relevant development in DRIC's capabilities and indicating how they can obtain maximum benefit I hope this information helps.