HC Deb 06 December 1999 vol 340 cc337-8W
Dr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many research contracts have been let by her Department since May 1997; what is the value of each contract; and in each case whether the contract included(a) a departmental veto over publication of the research results, (b) departmental control over the date of publication of the research results and (c) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments. [100162]

Clare Short

The number of research contracts let since May 1997 is very large, running into hundreds. Recording them and listing the value of each would involve disproportionate cost. The Department for International Development's (DFID) net expenditure on research was estimated at £112 million in 1997–98 and £116 million in 1998–99.

Source:

SET Statistics 1999, published by the Office of Science and Technology

The standard contracts for research projects funded by DFID make no provision for departmental veto over publication, for control over the date of publication. Nor do they contain any requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments.