§ 16. Mr. Callaghanasked the Minister of Labour his policy about the employment of foreign scientists and technologists in research and industry in this country.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodIt is the policy of my Department to grant permits subject to the usual conditions to employers desiring to engage foreign scientists and technologists in all branches of science and engineering in which there is a serious shortage of qualified British subjects and to assist employers, where posible, to recruit suitable persons from abroad.
§ Mr. CallaghanThe right hon. Gentleman's answer is very satisfactory, but is he aware that there is at least one country in Europe today where the output of technologists is not absorbed? Would he send out his officers to make inquiries to see whether we cannot attract some of them here to remove our very crippling shortage?
§ Mr. MacleodI do not know which country the hon. Gentleman has in mind. Perhaps he would let me know. In at least one instance, Italy, we have made special arrangements. If the hon. Gentleman will tell me about the country with which he is concerned we might possibly do something about it.