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Nuclear Dosage Records
Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what actions he has taken to speed up the handling of requests for nuclear dosage records held by his Department; [29454]
- (2) how many nuclear dosage records in his Department are (a) known to be missing and (b) known to be incomplete. [29455]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 16 February 1998]: The law requires my Department to keep radiation dose records for Classified Radiation workers for 50 years (formerly 30 years). There is no reason to believe that any are incomplete or missing.
The law requires radiation records for non-classified radiation workers, with annual doses limited to 15 mSv, to be kept for two years only. My Department still holds many, but not all, of their records.
Classified Radiation Workers' records are maintained by Approved Dosimetry Services at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (Aldermaston) and at DERA Radiation Protection Services (Alverstoke). Most are held in computer formats which can normally be searched rapidly: some are held on microfiche or microfilm which take a little longer to search.
These Approved Dosimetry Services also hold the records of some non-classified radiation workers. But, many of their records are held locally in paper form. Searching for the local records has been a difficult process up to now. To reduce delays, I have instigated a programme to store digital images of these records and to index them on a computer database. The pilot for this project, involving all the local records for former Chatham Radiation Workers, has been completed. By the end of this financial year, I expect the project to incorporate local records from the other Naval nuclear establishments will be covered as soon as possible thereafter.
If an investigation into an incident finds that an employee has been significantly exposed to radiation, the law requires it to be entered into his record. Investigation reports relating to the overexposure of individuals are required to be kept for 50 years (formerly 30 years). This has always been MOD's practice. However, it is impossible to be certain that every minor incident was recorded.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current value of the defence corporate research programme; and if he will list its technology groups and their research objectives and related technical areas, defined in terms of equipment and technology capabilities. [29522]
19 Feb 1998 : Column: 832
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 18 February 1998]: Expenditure on the MOD's Corporate Research Programme for the current financial year (1997-98) will be about £150 million. The programme is divided into 12 Technology Groups and beneath that into a number of Research Objectives, the majority of which are as listed:
19 Feb 1998 : Column: 833
There are a large number of detailed technical areas which support these Research Objectives. I am withholding details of these, and of several Research Objectives which do not appear in the above list, under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to defence, security and international relations.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies which through (a) the DERA Pathfinder process and (b) other briefings, have shared in his Department's evaluation of defence technological and research priorities; and if he will list those priorities. [29515]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 18 February 1998]: The companies who attended the Pathfinder 1997 conference are as follows:
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19 Feb 1998 : Column: 835
19 Feb 1998 : Column: 836
W and J Tod
As a normal part of Departmental business, there is a wide range of interactions between officials and companies which contribute to the evaluation of defence technological and research priorities. These working level contacts are not recorded centrally.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by (i) subject and (ii) current value the projects supported by his Department's applied research programme in 1997 indicating work (a) let with the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and (b) work carried out by industry through extramural contracts let by DERA. [29518]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 18 February 1998]: During 1997, applied research to the gross value of about £420 million, of which over 99.5 per cent. by value was placed with DERA, was authorised to support the following Technology areas:
I am withholding the more detailed information requested under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to defence, security and international relations.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the balance and scope of his Department's applied research programme was last received by the Defence Research Council; [29520]
19 Feb 1998 : Column: 837
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 18 February 1998]: The membership of the Defence Research Committee (DRC) is made up of individuals holding the following posts:
Representatives from Her Majesty's Treasury, the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and the Chairman of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council are normally also invited to attend each meeting.
The DRC meets twice a year to review the totality of the non-nuclear defence research programme, including the applied research programme. The Committee last met on 5 November 1997.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has established a national programme to bring together industry, both civil and defence, the academic community and the DERA on collaborative research projects of common interest; what percentage of project costs are made from Government sources; and what the programme's current budget is. [29513]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 18 February 1998]: MOD plays a leading part in the Government's Foresight initiative which seeks, inter alia, to bring industry, academia and Government together for their mutual benefit. Specifically, MOD is heavily involved in the Foresight Defence and Aerospace Panel, DASP.
DASP Technology Working Parties were set up in eight technology areas which MOD, industry and academia jointly regard as high priority. Their task was to consider the best way forward on a national basis in those technologies. Six have reported already and a further two are expected by mid-1998. A common theme to be found in each of the working party reports is the need for some better means of harmonising technology priorities between Government, industry and academia. A proposal has been made that National Advisory Committees be set up to achieve this aim, under DASP oversight. The MOD fully supports this initiative and is working within the DASP to devise a 5 year plan for the appropriate development of these Committees.
MOD sees considerable value in fostering dialogue and networking, where there are areas of common interest, among those communities within Government, industry and academia that formulate the requirements for, and deliver, research programmes. MOD also makes a small, but significant, contribution to Foresight panels other than the DASP and is supporting the Society of British Aerospace Companies' Foresight Action initiative through programme alignment.
These activities will also be appropriately aligned with National Defence Industry Council initiatives.
19 Feb 1998 : Column: 838
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the individuals, with their qualifications, who currently review the defence corporate research programme to identify areas of potential pullthrough into the applied research programme. [29516]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 18 February 1998]: Pullthrough from the Corporate Research Programme, CRP, to the Applied Research Programme, ARP, and other programmes is actively encouraged at all levels. Pullthrough takes different forms depending on circumstances. For example, where a CRP project becomes sufficiently applied that it is deemed to be suitable for Applied Research funding, an agreed pullthrough plan will be drawn up between the respective CRP and ARP customers. Continuous dialogue between CRP customers, their stakeholders and Operational Requirements military customers and their supporting scientific staffs identify and agree technology areas and timescales for such pullthrough.
Secondary pullthrough also occurs within the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, where a common research team might typically work on both generic long term CRP projects and shorter term ARP projects. In this instance, technology and knowledge continually feeds directly from the CRP to ARP via the research scientist involved.
Information on the individuals involved in pullthrough activity, both informally and formally, is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for the defence corporate research programme (a) scientists from his Department and academic institutions who are currently involved in peer review and (b) the functions of the customer advisory groups, together with current membership and qualifications. [29517]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 18 February 1998]: Peer review forms a vital component in the selection of quality and relevant projects forming the Corporate Research Programme. Review occurs at various stages within the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, DERA, where senior scientists select projects from sectors within DERA to form a portfolio of bids. Final peer review typically involves detailed assessment of proposal quality, military relevance, value for money and collaborative opportunities, including wealth creation.
The peer review teams differ between DERA technology groups but would normally include; two or three eminent academics with a long association with MOD research programmes, often from the Defence Science Advisory Council, MOD representatives from the central scientific, operational requirements and procurement areas; other MOD HQ scientific staff; DERA scientists, and, if applicable, representatives from DTI and industry. Individuals are selected on the basis of their track record and particular knowledge and expertise in the specific subject areas. Information on the very large number of individuals involved is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Customer Advisory Groups exist to provide guidance on the longer-term focus of research, to ensure that the products of the research are in line with the requirements expressed by the stakeholders. As such, their composition
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varies as a function of the specific technology group. Composition would typically comprise staff from central scientific and technical intelligence, operational requirements and procurement areas. Operational Requirements representation would include those with Applied Research Programme customer responsibilities to maximise future pullthrough opportunities.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) national and (b) international collaboration has been achieved under the defence research programme's Beacon fund. [29514]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 18 February 1998]: The Beacon Fund is aimed at encouraging research collaboration between DERA and industry or academia. It was set up in 1996 as a subset of the Corporate Research Programme, with a £2 million annual budget planned for worthwhile proposals. Such has been the demand that this budget was raised to £4 million in 1997.
(0) Overarching Strategy Studies
Management
Strategic Studies
(1) Acoustics, Magnetics and Hydrodynamics
Technology Group Management
Technology Group Plans
Acoustics
Magnetics
Hydrodynamics
(2) Chemical and Biological Defence and Medical
Technology Group Management
Technology Group Strategy
Hazard Assessment
Detection
Tri-service Medical
(3) Propulsion, Aerodynamics and Guidance
Technology Group Management
Technology Group Strategy
Propulsion
Aerodynamics
Control of Fixed and Rotary Wing Aircraft
Precision Guidance
Seekers
System Aspects
(4) Materials and Structures
Technology Group Management
Technology Group Strategy
Non Metallics
Metallics and Ceramics
Functional Materials
Batteries and Fuel Cells
Structural and Hazard Assessments
(5) Human Sciences and Effectiveness
Technology Group Management
Technology Group Strategy
Integration
Individual Performance and Survivability
Military Human Resources and Training Effectiveness
Leadership, Decision Making and Collective Performance
Systems and Synthetic Environments
(6) Energetic Materials and Terminal Effects
Technology Group Management
Technology Group Strategy
Synthesis
Formulation Studies
Characterisation
Fundamental Science of Energetic Materials
Explosives Detection
Terminal Effects Modelling
Weapon/Target Applications
(7) Electronic Device Technology
Technology Group Management
Technology Group Strategy
Electronics Technology for Sensors and Devices
Electronics Devices for Systems
Electronics Reliability, Maintainability and Survivability
(8) Infra-red and Visible Technology
Technology Group Management
Technology Group Strategy
Sensor Technology
Systems Applications
(9) Radio Frequency Technology
Technology Group Management
Technology Group Strategy and Special Topics
Surveillance and Target Acquisition Techniques
Electronic Warfare Techniques
Radio Frequency Military Communications Technology
Radio Frequency Component Technology
(10) Computing and Information Technology
Technology Group Management
Technology Group Strategy
Signal Processing Technology
Image Processing and Interpretation Technology
Information Processing and Fusion Technologies
Synthetic Environment Technology
Human-Machine Interaction, Speech and Visual Technologies
CIS and Decision Support Technology
(11) Operational Analysis
Technology Group Management
Technology Group Strategy
Methodology/Technique Development.
Advanced Composites Group Ltd
AEA Technology plc
Allied Signal Ltd
Alvis Logistics Ltd
Alvis Unipower
Anite Systems Ltd
Applied Visuals Ltd
Avimo Ltd
Avon Technical Products Ltd
AVPRO
Babcock Defence Systems
BAe
BASYS Marine Ltd
CAE Invertron
Cambridge Algorithmica
Century Dynamics Ltd
Chelsea Instruments Ltd
Chemring Group plc
Cogent Defence Systems
Corda Ltd
Crew Services Ltd
CRL
Data Sciences (UK) Ltd
Delta Communications Ltd
Det Norske Veritas
Devonport Management Ltd
Dowty Aerospace
DSAC
Earth Observation Science Ltd
EDS Defence Ltd
EEV Ltd
EG&G AEP Division
Electronics Ind Ltd
Elettronica (UK) Ltd
EM Technology
EPSRC
ERA Technology Ltd
ESYS Ltd
Fairey Hydraulics Ltd
FEI
Ferranti Technologies Ltd
Filtronic Components Ltd
GEC
GKN
GM
GMCIS
Graseby Dynamics Ltd
Hi-Q Systems Ltd
Human Engineering Ltd
Hunting Engineering Ltd
HVR Consulting Services Ltd
Hymatic Engineering Co Ltd
Impact Sciences Ltd
InterAction of Bath Ltd
Interglossa Ltd
ITT Defence
JJB Consultancy Ltd
John Crane Signature Management
Kidde-Graviner Ltd
Laboratory Impex Systems
Laser-Scan Ltd
Litton Data Systems
Lockheed Martin
Logica UK Ltd
Lucas Aerospace Ltd
Mackenzie Tribbeck Associates
Magnetic Systems Technology Ltd
Marconi Radar and Control Systems
Matra BAe Dynamics (UK) Ltd
Matra Marconi Space UK
Nangia Aero Research
NPL
NNC
Normalair Garret Ltd
Nortel plc
PC201
Pilkington Optronics
Power Magnetics and Electrical Systems
PS Industry Group Ltd
Quintec Associates Ltd
Racal
Raytheon Cossor Electronics
Redifon Mel Ltd
Resource Calculations (UK)
Roke Manor Research Ltd
Rolls-Royce and Associates
Rolls-Royce plc
SEA Ltd
Safe Training Systems
Science Systems (Industrial) Ltd
SERCO Ltd
Shorts Missile Systems Ltd
Siemens Plessey Systems
Signal Computing Ltd
Silicon Graphics Ltd
SIRA Ltd
Slingsby Aviation Ltd
Slingsby Engineering Ltd
Smith System Engineering
Smiths Industrial Aerospace
Soft System Developments
Sonardyne International Ltd
St. Bernard Composites Ltd
Stirling Dynamics Ltd
Strachan and Henshaw Ltd
Systems Consultants Services
Systems Engineering and Assessment
Systems Studies Ltd
TA Consultancy Services Ltd
TA Group Ltd
Telcon Ltd
Tenet Systems Ltd
The Advance Composites Group
The Hymatic Engineering Co Ltd
The Welding Institute
Thomson
Thorn Microwave Devices Ltd
Transtech Parallel Systems
Trident Data Systems
TRL Technology Ltd
Ultra Electronics
Vickers Defence Systems
Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd
W. L. Gore and Associates (UK) Ltd
Wallop Defence Systems
Westland System Assessment Ltd
W.S. Atkins
WSAL.
Structural Materials and Structural Effects Analysis
Signature Related Materials and Materials for Smart Structures
Electronic Materials
Photonic/Optical Materials and Devices
Energetic Materials
Chemical and Biological Materials
Computing Technologies
Computer Applications & Information Processing
Human Sciences
Operating Environmental Issues
Lethality & Platform Protection
Propulsion & Powerplants
Design Aspects--Platforms and Weapons
Electronic Warfare
Signature Control and Signature Reduction
Sensor Systems
Guidance and Control Systems
Simulators, Trainers and Synthetic Environments
Integration and Other System Issues
Communications and CIS related Technologies
Personnel Protection Measures
Manufacturing Processes/Design Tools/Techniques.
Chief Scientific Adviser: Chairman
Vice Chief Defence Staff
Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Systems)
Deputy Under Secretary of State (Science and Technology)
Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Programmes and Personnel)
Deputy Under Secretary of State (Resources Programmes and Finance)
Deputy Chief of Defence Procurement (Operations)
Deputy Chief of Defence Procurement (Support)
Director Intelligence Scientific and Technical.
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