HC Deb 01 February 2000 vol 343 c538W
Dr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 370W on departmental research contracts, if he will (a) state the total expenditure on research contracts let by his Department since May 1997 and (b) list the titles of all research contracts let by his Department during 1999 costing £20,000 or more, stating the value of each contract, and in each case whether the contract included (i) departmental veto over publication of the research results, (ii) departmental control over the date of publication of the research and (iii) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments; and if he will place a copy of the standard research contract currently in use by his Department in the Library. [107092]

Mr. Paul Murphy

As I indicated in the answer I gave on 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 370W, the term 'research' covers a wide range of activities. The information requested is not held centrally by my Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.