HC Deb 06 June 1967 vol 747 cc770-1
5. Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Technology what is the estimated annual cost of his proposal to send a team of experts to the United States of America with a view to persuading scientists, technologists and other professional persons who have gone to work there in preference to Great Britain to change their minds and return.

22. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of Technology if he will publish the agreement with Management Selection Limited relating to Her Majesty's Government's scheme to encourage British citizens working in the United States of America to return to this country.

The Minister of Technology (Mr. Anthony Wedgwood Benn)

I have agreed, subject to contract, to advance up to £75,000 over a period of three years against the starting costs of this scheme. I do not think it would be right to publish the details of contracts with commercial organisations.

Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

Is it not a waste of time and money to send experts all that way in order to try to get people to return? How can they be expected to change their minds when the reasons for which they left—high taxation and general frustration—are even worse, and are not likely to get any better?

Mr. Benn

The hon. and gallant Member is giving his answers to a very complex question. Those who have studied it think that there are many reasons why people go abroad—and many, we know, would like to come back. One of the objects of establishing this service with the M.S.L. is to see whether arrangements can be made to bring them back and also to encourage Americans to work here—which we believe could easily be arranged.

Mr. Stratton Mills

What can Management Selection Ltd. tell these people that they do not already know? Is not this a great waste of public money?

Mr. Benn

This is not a waste of public money, because there is a great deal of interest in this scheme in the United States. It was often discussed with me when I was there recently. Since it costs £15,000 to train a Ph.D. and the Government are putting only £75,000 into this scheme, the likelihood of a good return is very real, and if there is an international market in brains, as there is, it is right that this country should adopt a rather more vigorous attitude in trying to bring them back here to work.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

In the light of the not inconsiderable success that the Atomic Energy Authority, amongst others, has had in getting people back from the United States, may we be given an assurance that the methods they have employed will be made fully available, so far as procedure is concerned, to other interests?

Mr. Benn

Certainly. The whole idea is to work with British industries which have experience, and to encourage those firms which have never thought of recruiting in the United States to begin to do so. I have little doubt that this movement will be the beginning of more extensive campaigning of this kind in the United States, and that it will also bring back useful information bearing on the reason why people leave this country.

Mr. Victor Yates

Can my right hon. Friend give us an assurance that there will be work for these people, especially those who, at the moment, want to go to America because there are no positions available here? Can my right hon. Friend give that assurance?

Mr. Benn

I can tell my hon. Friend that there will always be vacancies for good managers, scientists and engineers in this country.