HC Deb 30 November 1966 vol 737 cc430-1
8. Mr. Dobson

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will give an estimate of the number of professional men and technicians who have left the aircraft industry to work abroad in foreign-based companies.

Mr. Snow

I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Richmond, Surrey (Mr. A. Royle) on 18th October—[Vol. 734, c. 10.] In addition, 230 technicians are estimated to have emigrated in 1965, the only year for which information is available.

Mr. Dobson

Would my hon. Friend not agree that some of the figures which are released are highly exaggerated and that much more accurate information is needed in order not to upset people who are still working and need to work in the industry for many years?

Mr. Snow

Yes. The situation can be exaggerated, but it is a matter with which my right hon. Friend is keeping very closely in touch.

Mr. Onslow

Will the hon. Gentleman not agree that the Minister has not got sufficient information to show whether these figures are exaggerated or not? Is he not very short of information on the subject, and should more research not be done? Should he not accept that the only way to stop the brain drain is to provide a decent continuous work load in this country?

Mr. Snow

It is the aim of my right hon. Friend's present negotiations to secure an efficient industry. As he said in the debate last week, we left the industry in 1951 in a much healthier state than we found it when we took it over again in 1964.

Mr. R. Carr

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of what appear to be very factual figures in relation to certain important plants about the brain drain given by the Action Committee for European Space? These seem to be very specific figures. Does he accept or deny them?

Mr. Snow

I think that they are not beyond criticism.