§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions have been held by the Women's Unit with the Engineering Council to discuss ways of increasing the number of women entering the profession. [70705]
§ Ms JowellThe women's unit has not held any discussions with the Engineering Council. Work on promoting science and engineering and technology (SET) as rewarding and fulfilling careers for women is taken forward by a specialist unit within the Office of Science and Technology (OST), the Promoting SET for Women Unit. They have an ongoing dialogue with the728W Engineering Council through the WISE campaign (Women into Science and Engineering). A careers guidance handbook has been published, sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry and WISE in addition to other key organisations, to help women consider how they might enter the field and plan a career within it. My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury recently hosted a reception in the House of Lords to promote the WISE campaign to a wider audience and seek further support, in particular from industry. OST will shortly be meeting with the chief executive of the Engineering Council and the WISE Campaign manager, the Women's Engineering Society and the Association of Women in Science and Engineering to look at the work of their organisations and of the Promoting SET for the women unit and to consider possible future collaboration.