HC Deb 19 February 1998 vol 306 cc831-9W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current value of the defence corporate research programme; and if he will list its technology groups and their research objectives and related technical areas, defined in terms of equipment and technology capabilities. [29522]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 18 February 1998]: Expenditure on the MOD's Corporate Research Programme for the current financial year (1997–98) will be about £150 million. The programme is divided into 12 Technology Groups and beneath that into a number of Research Objectives, the majority of which are as listed:

  1. (0) Overarching Strategy Studies
    • Management
    • Strategic Studies
  2. (1) Acoustics, Magnetics and Hydrodynamics
    • Technology Group Management
    • Technology Group Plans
    • Acoustics
    • Magnetics
    • Hydrodynamics
  3. Chemical and Biological Defence and Medical
    • Technology Group Management
    • Technology Group Strategy
    • Hazard Assessment
    • Detection
    • Tri-service Medical
  4. (3) Propulsion, Aerodynamics and Guidance
    • Technology Group Management
    • Technology Group Strategy
    • Propulsion
    • Aerodynamics
    • Control of Fixed and Rotary Wing Aircraft
    • Precision Guidance
    • Seekers
    • System Aspects
  5. (4) Materials and Structures
    • Technology Group Management
    • Technology Group Strategy
    • Non Metallics
    • Metallics and Ceramics
    • Functional Materials
    • Batteries and Fuel Cells
    • Structural and Hazard Assessments
  6. (5) Human Sciences and Effectiveness
    • Technology Group Management
    • Technology Group Strategy
    • Integration
    • Individual Performance and Survivability
    • Military Human Resources and Training Effectiveness
    • Leadership, Decision Making and Collective Performance
    • Systems and Synthetic Environments
    • (6) Energetic Materials and Terminal Effects
    • Technology Group Management
    • Technology Group Strategy
    • Synthesis
    • Formulation Studies
    • Characterisation
    • Fundamental Science of Energetic Materials
    • Explosives Detection
    • Terminal Effects Modelling
    • Weapon/Target Applications
    833
  7. (7) Electronic Device Technology
    • Technology Group Management
    • Technology Group Strategy
    • Electronics Technology for Sensors and Devices
    • Electronics Devices for Systems
    • Electronics Reliability, Maintainability and Survivability
  8. (8) Infra-red and Visible Technology
    • Technology Group Management
    • Technology Group Strategy Sensor Technology
    • Systems Applications
    • (9) Radio Frequency Technology
    • Technology Group Management
    • Technology Group Strategy and Special Topics
    • Surveillance and Target Acquisition Techniques
    • Electronic Warfare Techniques
    • Radio Frequency Military Communications Technology
    • Radio Frequency Component Technology
  9. (10) Computing and Information Technology
    • Technology Group Management
    • Technology Group Strategy
    • Signal Processing Technology
    • Image Processing and Interpretation Technology
    • Information Processing and Fusion Technologies
    • Synthetic Environment Technology
    • Human-Machine Interaction, Speech and Visual Technologies
    • CIS and Decision Support Technology
  10. (11) Operational Analysis
    • Technology Group Management
    • Technology Group Strategy
    • Methodology/Technique Development.

There are a large number of detailed technical areas which support these Research Objectives. I am withholding details of these, and of several Research Objectives which do not appear in the above list, under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to defence, security and international relations.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies which through(a) the DERA Pathfinder process and (b) other briefings, have shared in his Department's evaluation of defence technological and research priorities; and if he will list those priorities. [29515]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 18 February 1998]: The companies who attended the Pathfinder 1997 conference are as follows:

  • Advanced Composites Group Ltd
  • AEA Technology plc
  • Allied Signal Ltd
  • Alvis Logistics Ltd
  • Alvis Unipower
  • Anite Systems Ltd
  • Applied Visuals Ltd
  • Avimo Ltd
  • Avon Technical Products Ltd
  • AVPRO
    • 834
  • Babcock Defence Systems
  • BAe
  • BASYS Marine Ltd
  • CAE Invertron
  • Cambridge Algorithmica
  • Century Dynamics Ltd
  • Chelsea Instruments Ltd
  • Chemring Group plc
  • Cogent Defence Systems
  • Corda Ltd
  • Crew Services Ltd
  • CRL
  • Data Sciences (UK) Ltd
  • Delta Communications Ltd
  • Det Norske Veritas
  • Devonport Management Ltd
  • Dowty Aerospace
  • DSAC
  • Earth Observation Science Ltd
  • EDS Defence Ltd
  • EEV Ltd
  • EG&G AEP Division
  • Electronics Ind Ltd
  • Elettronica (UK) Ltd
  • EM Technology
  • EPSRC
  • ERA Technology Ltd
  • ESYS Ltd
  • Fairey Hydraulics Ltd
  • FEI
  • Ferranti Technologies Ltd
  • Filtronic Components Ltd
  • GEC
  • GKN
  • GM
  • GMCIS
  • Graseby Dynamics Ltd
  • Hi-Q Systems Ltd
  • Human Engineering Ltd
  • Hunting Engineering Ltd
  • HVR Consulting Services Ltd
  • Hymatic Engineering Co Ltd
  • Impact Sciences Ltd
  • InterAction of Bath Ltd
  • Interglossa Ltd
  • ITT Defence
  • JJB Consultancy Ltd
  • John Crane Signature Management
  • Kidde-Graviner Ltd
  • Laboratory Impex Systems
  • Laser-Scan Ltd
  • Litton Data Systems
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Logica UK Ltd
  • Lucas Aerospace Ltd
    • 835
  • Mackenzie Tribbeck Associates
  • Magnetic Systems Technology Ltd
  • Marconi Radar and Control Systems
  • Matra BAe Dynamics (UK) Ltd
  • Matra Marconi Space UK
  • Nangia Aero Research
  • NPL
  • NNC
  • Normalair Garret Ltd
  • Nortel plc
  • PC201
  • Pilkington Optronics
  • Power Magnetics and Electrical Systems
  • PS Industry Group Ltd
  • Quintec Associates Ltd
  • Racal
  • Raytheon Cossor Electronics
  • Redifon Mel Ltd
  • Resource Calculations (UK)
  • Roke Manor Research Ltd
  • Rolls-Royce and Associates
  • Rolls-Royce plc
  • SEA Ltd
  • Safe Training Systems
  • Science Systems (Industrial) Ltd
  • SERCO Ltd
  • Shorts Missile Systems Ltd
  • Siemens Plessey Systems
  • Signal Computing Ltd
  • Silicon Graphics Ltd
  • SIRA Ltd
  • Slingsby Aviation Ltd
  • Slingsby Engineering Ltd
  • Smith System Engineering
  • Smiths Industrial Aerospace
  • Soft System Developments
  • Sonardyne International Ltd
  • St. Bernard Composites Ltd
  • Stirling Dynamics Ltd
  • Strachan and Henshaw Ltd
  • Systems Consultants Services
  • Systems Engineering and Assessment
  • Systems Studies Ltd
  • TA Consultancy Services Ltd
  • TA Group Ltd
  • Telcon Ltd
  • Tenet Systems Ltd
  • The Advance Composites Group
  • The Hymatic Engineering Co Ltd
  • The Welding Institute
  • Thomson
  • Thorn Microwave Devices Ltd
  • Transtech Parallel Systems
  • Trident Data Systems
  • TRL Technology Ltd
  • Ultra Electronics
  • Vickers Defence Systems
  • Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd
    • 836
  • W and J Tod
  • W. L. Gore and Associates (UK) Ltd
  • Wallop Defence Systems
  • Westland System Assessment Ltd
  • W.S. Atkins
  • WSAL.

As a normal part of Departmental business, there is a wide range of interactions between officials and companies which contribute to the evaluation of defence technological and research priorities. These working level contacts are not recorded centrally.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by (i) subject and (ii) current value the projects supported by his Department's applied research programme in 1997 indicating work(a) let with the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and (b) work carried out by industry through extramural contracts let by DERA. [29518]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 18 February 1998]: During 1997, applied research to the gross value of about £420 million, of which over 99.5 per cent. by value was placed with DERA, was authorised to support the following Technology areas:

  • Structural Materials and Structural Effects Analysis
  • Signature Related Materials and Materials for Smart Structures
  • Electronic Materials
  • Photonic/Optical Materials and Devices
  • Energetic Materials
  • Chemical and Biological Materials
  • Computing Technologies
  • Computer Applications & Information Processing
  • Human Sciences
  • Operating Environmental Issues
  • Lethality & Platform Protection
  • Propulsion & Powerplants
  • Design Aspects—Platforms and Weapons
  • Electronic Warfare
  • Signature Control and Signature Reduction
  • Sensor Systems
  • Guidance and Control Systems
  • Simulators, Trainers and Synthetic Environments
  • Integration and Other System Issues
  • Communications and CIS related Technologies
  • Personnel Protection Measures
  • Manufacturing Processes/Design Tools/Techniques.

I am withholding the more detailed information requested under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to defence, security and international relations.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the balance and scope of his Department's applied research programme was last received by the Defence Research Council; [29520]

(2) if he will list the members of the Defence Research Council. [29519]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 18 February 1998]: The membership of the Defence Research Committee (DRC) is made up of individuals holding the following posts:

  • Chief Scientific Adviser: Chairman
  • Vice Chief Defence Staff
  • Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Systems)
  • Deputy Under Secretary of State (Science and Technology)
  • Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Programmes and Personnel)
  • Deputy Under Secretary of State (Resources Programmes and Finance)
  • Deputy Chief of Defence Procurement (Operations)
  • Deputy Chief of Defence Procurement (Support)
  • Director Intelligence Scientific and Technical.

Representatives from Her Majesty's Treasury, the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and the Chairman of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council are normally also invited to attend each meeting.

The DRC meets twice a year to review the totality of the non-nuclear defence research programme, including the applied research programme. The Committee last met on 5 November 1997.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has established a national programme to bring together industry, both civil and defence, the academic community and the DERA on collaborative research projects of common interest; what percentage of project costs are made from Government sources; and what the programme's current budget is. [29513]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 18 February 1998]: MOD plays a leading part in the Government's Foresight initiative which seeks, inter alia, to bring industry, academia and Government together for their mutual benefit. Specifically, MOD is heavily involved in the Foresight Defence and Aerospace Panel, DASP.

DASP Technology Working Parties were set up in eight technology areas which MOD, industry and academia jointly regard as high priority. Their task was to consider the best way forward on a national basis in those technologies. Six have reported already and a further two are expected by mid-1998. A common theme to be found in each of the working party reports is the need for some better means of harmonising technology priorities between Government, industry and academia. A proposal has been made that National Advisory Committees be set up to achieve this aim, under DASP oversight. The MOD fully supports this initiative and is working within the DASP to devise a 5 year plan for the appropriate development of these Committees.

MOD sees considerable value in fostering dialogue and networking, where there are areas of common interest, among those communities within Government, industry and academia that formulate the requirements for, and deliver, research programmes. MOD also makes a small, but significant, contribution to Foresight panels other than the DASP and is supporting the Society of British Aerospace Companies' Foresight Action initiative through programme alignment.

These activities will also be appropriately aligned with National Defence Industry Council initiatives.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the individuals, with their qualifications, who currently review the defence corporate research programme to identify areas of potential pullthrough into the applied research programme. [29516]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 18 February 1998]: Pullthrough from the Corporate Research Programme, CRP, to the Applied Research Programme, ARP, and other programmes is actively encouraged at all levels. Pullthrough takes different forms depending on circumstances. For example, where a CRP project becomes sufficiently applied that it is deemed to be suitable for Applied Research funding, an agreed pullthrough plan will be drawn up between the respective CRP and ARP customers. Continuous dialogue between CRP customers, their stakeholders and Operational Requirements military customers and their supporting scientific staffs identify and agree technology areas and timescales for such pullthrough.

Secondary pullthrough also occurs within the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, where a common research team might typically work on both generic long term CRP projects and shorter term ARP projects. In this instance, technology and knowledge continually feeds directly from the CRP to ARP via the research scientist involved.

Information on the individuals involved in pullthrough activity, both informally and formally, is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for the defence corporate research programme(a) scientists from his Department and academic institutions who are currently involved in peer review and(b) the functions of the customer advisory groups, together with current membership and qualifications. [29517]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 18 February 1998]: Peer review forms a vital component in the selection of quality and relevant projects forming the Corporate Research Programme. Review occurs at various stages within the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, DERA, where senior scientists select projects from sectors within DERA to form a portfolio of bids. Final peer review typically involves detailed assessment of proposal quality, military relevance, value for money and collaborative opportunities, including wealth creation.

The peer review teams differ between DERA technology groups but would normally include; two or three eminent academics with a long association with MOD research programmes, often from the Defence Science Advisory Council, MOD representatives from the central scientific, operational requirements and procurement areas; other MOD HQ scientific staff; DERA scientists, and, if applicable, representatives from DTI and industry. Individuals are selected on the basis of their track record and particular knowledge and expertise in the specific subject areas. Information on the very large number of individuals involved is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Customer Advisory Groups exist to provide guidance on the longer-term focus of research, to ensure that the products of the research are in line with the requirements expressed by the stakeholders. As such, their composition varies as a function of the specific technology group. Composition would typically comprise staff from central scientific and technical intelligence, operational requirements and procurement areas. Operational Requirements representation would include those with Applied Research Programme customer responsibilities to maximise future pullthrough opportunities.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) national and (b) international collaboration has been achieved under the defence research programme's Beacon fund. [29514]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 18 February 1998]: The Beacon Fund is aimed at encouraging research collaboration between DERA and industry or academia. It was set up in 1996 as a subset of the Corporate Research Programme, with a £2 million annual budget planned for worthwhile proposals. Such has been the demand that this budget was raised to £4 million in 1997.

There are currently 23 active Beacon projects spanning nearly all areas of DERA's work. The total committed cost to MOD of these projects is around £12 million; industry and academia are committed to nearly twice as much. About three-quarters of this is from national initiatives, with the remainder from international initiatives.