HC Deb 19 October 1999 vol 336 cc420-1W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if existing intellectual property rights will be transferred with the assets of DERA on privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [93662]

Mr. Kilfoyle

No decisions have been made on the nature of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for DERA, and it is too early to speculate on the precise form it will take, or how intellectual property rights will be treated.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he will take to ensure the continued availability of informed independent advice to Ministers after the privatisation of DERA. [93667]

Mr. Kilfoyle

No decisions have been made on the nature of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for DERA. The need for continued access to informed and impartial scientific services and advice is a key tenet of the MOD's consideration of the future of DERA and is defined in the "MOD Customer Needs Statement" and laid down in Figure 1 of the DERA PPP Consultation Document, a copy of which was placed in the Library on 5 May 1999. Ministers will want to ensure each of these customer requirements is addressed when making a decision on the final PPP solution for DERA.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis collaboration with allied powers by DERA will continue after privatisation. [93668]

Mr. Kilfoyle

The detailed mechanisms under which DERA would collaborate with allies will not be known until we have decided upon the precise PPP solution to be adopted. However, DERA's participation in collaborative activities with allied powers, following the adoption of a PPP solution, would be governed by the government to government arrangements agreed with our allies.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if liabilities arising from the exposure of staff to hazardous working conditions will be transferred to the purchaser following the privatisation of DERA; and if he will make a statement. [93664]

Mr. Kilfoyle

No decision has been made on the nature of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for DERA, and it is too early to speculate both on the precise form it would take and how commercial and legal issues, including liabilities, will be handled. The MOD study team, which is taking forward the work on the DERA PPP, is supported by legal experts who will provide advice during the implementation stage on the future treatment of liabilities.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision will be made to fund the transfer of DERA employee pension entitlements from the Civil Service Pension Scheme into a private scheme following his proposals for privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [93669]

Mr. Kilfoyle

No decisions have been taken on the form of a PPP for DERA, and it is therefore too early to be specific about pension arrangements for staff or how they will be funded.