HC Deb 02 December 1998 vol 321 cc186-7W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the Defence Diversification budget was spent on non-military research in the most recent year for which figures are available. [61742]

Mr. Spellar

There has in the past been no Defence Diversification budget as such. Funding for my Department's research programme is provided for military purposes, although the resultant technologies can often have civil benefits. The modest costs arising from the creation of the Defence Diversification Agency at the end of this month will therefore be a departure from past practice, which we hope will enable the more widespread exploitation of our technology in the civil sector.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the Defence Diversification Agency in the current financial year. [61741]

Mr. Spellar

As we announced on 16 November 1998,Official Report, column 326, the estimated operating budget of the Defence Diversification Agency is expected to be some £2 million a year. Accordingly, a sum of £400,000 has been set aside to cover the costs of the Agency from its creation at the end of this month to the end of the current financial year.