§ Mr. Palmerasked the Secretary of State for Industry when he is going to set up an inquiry into the engineering profession; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. VarleyI have decided to appoint a committee of inquiry with the following terms of reference
484WTo review for manufacturing industry, and in the light of national economic needs—and to make recommendations.
- i. the requirements of British industry for professional and technician engineers, the extent to which these needs are being met, and the use made of engineers by industry;
- ii. the rôle of the engineering institutions in relation to the education and qualification of engineers at professional and technician level;
- iii. the advantages and disadvantages of statutory registration and licensing of engineers in the United Kingdom;
- iv. the arrangements in other major industrial countries, particularly in the EEC, for handling these problems, having regard to relevant comparative studies,
I am glad to say that Sir Montague Finniston has accepted my invitation to chair the committee. I am certain that the inquiry will not impede the many useful initiatives already in existence or planned, both inside and outside Government; rather I see the inquiry as building on these initiatives and drawing together the results. It is my intention that this inquiry should not be unduly prolonged and I will keep the House fully informed of progress.