To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if consideration has been given to the development of science parks close to DERA sites in the Strategic Defence Review. [16670]
Yes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the criteria by which DERA is to be assessed as part of the Strategic Defence Review. [16668]
The Strategic Defence Review includes a rigorous scrutiny of Departmental assets to ensure best value for money. This includes an examination of Agencies, and options for the future of DERA are being considered as part of this process. Options will be assessed on the basis of value for money and on how best to meet the Department's requirements for access to a wide range of technology.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the location of DERA sites will be considered as part of the Strategic Defence Review; [16669](2) if the impact of DERA sites on locally-based high technology industries will be taken into account in the Strategic Defence Review. [16667]
Work on options for the future of DERA is concerned primarily with the overall role and organisation of the Agency rather than the location of particular sites. The relationship between DERA and high-technology industries will be an important consideration in this work, although not confined to particular geographical locations.