§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals for improving the status of engineering and of engineers in relation to the Feilden Committee Report on Engineering Design and following action by the Council of Engineering Institutions and the Council of Industrial Design; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyIn November, 1970, we asked the Council of Industrial Design and the Council of Engineering Institutions to examine how they might increase the emphasis on engineering design in the activities of the Council of Industrial Design. Last May, an Engineering Design Advisory Committee was established with Mr. Feilden as Chairman. It has prepared a programme with these objects in mind and this is under active consideration. In addition, my right hon. Friend has authorised the C.O.I.D. to strengthen its senior staff by the appointment of an engineer specifically charged with expanding engineering activities. Implementation of these steps should lead to significant improvements to the standards of engineering design with benefits both to industry and engineers employed in this field.