§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new jobs have been created in Scotland through the Defence Diversification Agency in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [135797]
§ Mr. CaplinThe Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) has been operating in Scotland since early 1999 and has so far assisted over 250 companies in Scotland, producing technology transfer contracts from the Ministry of Defence to a value in excess of £1 million.
There are no reliable techniques for translating the impact of technology transfer into new jobs created. However, the DDA is exploring methods of measuring value with a view to imbedding appropriate systems into future projects. Estimates from other United Kingdom regions suggests the DDA adds value through its activities of around three times that of its costs.