§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Government-funded scientific research units have developed printed codes of research, which they require junior scientists undertaking research for the first time to sign; and if he will make a statement. [29560]
§ Mr. MaloneThe Department has had a code of practice for the commissioning and management of research and development in place since 1992 to help ensure quality and relevance of research funded by this Department. The management arrangements of all research undertaken by the Department, and by the non-departmental public bodies funded by the Department, is reviewed annually with particular emphasis on the application of the code of practice. The conditions of employment of researchers are a matter for the employing authority. Any research commissioned by the Department, whether from an individual or from an academic institution, is subject to the terms of an agreed contract which embodies the principles of the code of practice.
Codes of research in other scientific research units are the responsibility of the Office of Science and Technology.