HC Deb 11 April 1967 vol 744 cc950-1
9. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Minister of Technology what figures are available to him of the numbers of graduate scientists and technologists entering British industry from Europe and the United States of America.

Mr. Dell

No definite figures are available. The best guide is the number of work permits issued by Ministry of Labour for alien immigrants holding graduate or equivalent qualification in science and technology.

For the period 1961 to 1965 these totalled just under 2,000. Statistics of the nationality of these permit holders were not kept until 1965, and for that year, of just over 600 issued, just over 500 were for European or United States nationals.

Mr. Roberts

Would my hon. Friend consider setting up a recruitment committee whose specific aim would be to advertise and canvass for Europeans and Americans to come to work in Britain? Would he not agree that it is high time to get something back on our training investment by establishing a brain drain in reverse?

Mr. Dell

We are considering the very proposal which my hon. Friend has made. Indeed, we have started one specific minor scheme of this type.