§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 December 1999,Official Report, column 565W, 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. [108196]
§ Yvette CooperCopies of model contracts for the Department's policy research programme and the National Health Service research and development programme are in the Library.
The Department actively encourages contractors to publish the findings of research which it has funded.
In common with most research funders, the Department actively discourages the discussion of research findings with journalists prior to adequate peer review: in many areas-publication in a scientific journal is a key part of the peer review process.
No restrictions are placed on researchers after publication. Again in common with most other funders, the Department asks researchers to work closely with its press office.