§ 10. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he proposes to take to stop the drift of science graduates from Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. James Boyden)I share my hon. Friend's concern about this matter. Opportunities for employment of science graduates in Scotland are increasing. Scottish universities expect to employ 40 per cent. more 1173 in 1965 than in 1962. There are increasing opportunities in Scottish schools and further education centres, for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible. There will also be a number of vacancies in the many Government research stations in Scotland.
§ Mr. DempseyWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that recent reports indicate that two out of every three science graduates are compelled to drift from Scotland in search of employment prospects? Will he do his utmost to expand the opportunity for young graduates to be retained in Scotland for the benefit of the Scottish economy in general?
§ Mr. BoydenThe responsibilities of this Department are confined to a very small number of graduates. The main answer to the problem is the economic development of Scotland, which the Government have fully under consideration, and the growth of which they are actively stimulating. I can assure my hon. Friend that we are well aware of the problem and take an interest in it.
§ Sir Rolf Dudley WilliamsDoes not the hon. Gentleman realise that it is not so much the movement of science graduates from Scotland that matters but the flood of graduates who will be moving from this country to the United States if the Concord project is dropped?
§ Mr. BoydenThat is another question.