§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 20 December 1999,Official Report, columns 385–86W, what restrictions were placed on contractors carrying out research projects funded by his Department in 1999 in respect of them discussing their findings with journalists (a) before and (b) after publication. [108199]
§ Dr. ReidThe various Departments within the Scottish Executive have their own devolved research programmes and strategies. While there are some differences in the precise detail of contracts relating to each programme, generally researchers are actively encouraged to publish their work.
The Scottish Executive's standard Conditions of Contract do however specify that consultants cannot disclose the results of research they are working on without the prior approval of the commissioning body. This is consistent with HM Treasury guidance on procurement and the use of confidentiality clauses (CUP Guidance 59D).