§ Mr. John Garrettasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many sectoral studies published by NEDO call for Government action to improve the supply of trained engineers; and what action he proposes to take on the matter.
Mr. Alan WilliamsAbout a third of the sectoral reports prepared for the first round of the industrial strategy call for action of various kinds by Government to improve the supply of trained engineers. The various points raised are being followed up by Government Departments 455W and other bodies to ensure that the manpower resources available to industry are adequate in both quantity and quality. Sectoral working parties will be asked to consider a number of specific proposals for helping to prevent shortages of professionally qualified engineers, and the NEDC itself will discuss this whole issue in the light of the report by NEDO and the MSC which will be available shortly.