§ 20. Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's reactions to the Finniston report.
§ 21. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has yet formulated his conclusions on future policy objections following the publication on 9 January of the Finniston report on the engineering industry.
§ 28. Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the committee of inquiry report into the engineering profession.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallWe welcome and share the broad aims of the Finniston report on the engineering profession, which are in line with the Government's wish to see a healthy, competitive manufacturing sector. The report makes many far-reaching recommendations for action, by no means all of which fall to government. Those to which a Government response is required demand—and will receive—sober and careful consideration, taking full account of the views of the many other interests involved.
The Government intend to reach decissions on the main recommendations from the Finniston committee as quickly as may be compatible with the necessary consideration and consultation. I hope to be able to announce those decisions in the summer.