HL Deb 24 March 1986 vol 472 c1157

2.49 p.m.

Lord Rodney

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government which universities and technical colleges have full-time courses for training mechanical design engineers.

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, courses in engineering design, including courses with a design element, are listed in a booklet called Design Courses in Britain 1986 published by the Design Council. A copy has been placed in the Library. This lists some 48 degree level courses, of which 16 link mechanical engineering with design.

Lord Rodney

My Lords, I should like to thank my noble friend for that Answer. She was kind enough to send me a copy of the booklet. I do not think that it in fact totally records the true situation. May I ask my noble friend whether Her Majesty's Government are aware that there are very few engineering professors who are directly responsible for the teaching and research of engineering design? Are they further aware that at the present time there are vacancies for professors and senior lecturers in engineering design which cannot be filled?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, I can only say that as a result of this Question my right honourable friend the Secretary of State will be more aware of the problem. My noble friend has rendered a valuable service in drawing attention to the dearth of suitably qualified people in this field. It is vital that industry should co-operate with educational institutions and make clear their needs, and this is one of the objectives of Industry Year.

Baroness Seear

My Lords, does the noble Baroness agree that there will be even more vacancies if the present cuts continue in the universities and polytechnics?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, in fact the Government have already taken several measures to provide substantial additional resources for engineering, most recently the £43 million to be spent on the engineering and technology programme.