March 1999

Westminster Report, IEE Review

Its been a difficult few weeks for science as biotechnology has come under the spotlight as claims and counterclaims are made about genetically modified organisms. With scientists, pressure groups and politicians battling the issue out and the media in a feeding frenzy, the affair illustrates that science and politics are inextricably linked. For this reason all politicians with a background in science - in whatever field - have a responsibility to provide impartial information and advice to colleagues. Indeed, the IEE regular Westminster Report on engineering developments in Westminster and Whitehall is an important example of this.

Back to that genetically modified legislature known as the House of Commons. As always, "engineering" member Claire Curtis Thomas has been tabling a number of Parliamentary questions asking the Government about various engineering issues, particularly regarding the number of women and student graduates entering the profession. Minister for Women, Tessa Jowells, confirmed that the Office of Science and Technology (OST), which has a special unit for promoting women in science and technology, is having an ongoing dialogue with (Women in Science and Engineering), WISE.

She added that Science Minister Lord Sainsbury had recently hosted a reception in the Lords to promote the WISE campaign to industry. Meetings were being held with the Engineering Council, the OST and WISE to look at the work of their organisations and to consider possible future collaboration.

The new Trade and Industry Minister, Stephen Byers, followed this up by acknowledging that women were significantly under represented in physical sciences and engineering. Unless this situation were improved, he said, Britain's industrial and research base would continue to be deprived of access to important talent. He also stressed that the Government are encouraging women to continue with science through A levels into higher education and are seeking to ensure that women have satisfactory science and engineering based careers, by encouraging family-friendly practices through the work place.

Junior Education & Employment Minister, George Mudie, set out a number of important statistics. He reported that in 1996-97 the total number of female engineering graduates was 2,206 of which 34% went into employment occupations related to their field of study. In the same year, 650 women completed post graduate degrees in engineering with 39% entering the profession after completion. He acknowledged however that there had been a small decrease of 1.7% in the total number of people accepted to higher education.

In an important Adjournment Debate on chemical engineering (Commons Hansard 3 February 1999, Col 904), Labour MP and chemical engineer Dr Ashok Kumar set out the importance of chemical engineering to the country's economy, and the problems faced by the engineering profession in general. He noted the continuing demand for high quality engineering graduates and the lack of young women expressing interest in science courses.

Dr Kumar argued that the national curriculum, for all its merits, was not leading to greater participation in science A levels or higher entry figures for our universities. He urged the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry to tackle this problem: directly and quickly.

Responding, George Mudie argued that a recent research study by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research into supply and demand for engineering, science and technology graduates indicated that the number of students entering engineering degrees was adequate. The study concluded that, with the possible exception of electronic engineering "the great majority of mismatches between supply and demand for technical graduates are attributable to quality problems rather than any overall shortfall in quantity".

Mr Mudie said that feedback from companies like Glaxo Wellcome have made it clear that their concern is primarily with the quality of science graduate they recruit, not with the quantity available in the Labour market.

The Minister said that concerted efforts were being made by the Government with the Engineering Council to promote engineering and to counter misconceptions regarding the profession. He argued that recent reforms in the education system would encourage more students to enter science in the coming years. The Department for Education and Employment are working with industry to improve the employability of graduates.

This chimes in with a recent submission by the IEE to the DfEE which has expressed disappointment about not being consulted on the Department's efforts regarding career guidance. The IEE has suggested that a regional lead body will need to work with a number existing players such as the TECS, Business Links and Local Chambers of commerce as well as FE and HE educational establishments such as the professional Engineering institutions.

Meanwhile, the Trade and Industry department has announced further funding for the engineering profession. In a speech to the Senate of the Engineering Council, Energy and Industry Minister John Battle announced measures to improve the public profile of engineering and to highlight the potential of the industry to improve its environmental performance.

Mr Battle confirmed that the DTI had committed £1.5 million funding over three years for the promotion of engineering. There would also be £34,000 to enable the Engineering Council to revise and update its guidelines on environmental issues.

Although much of this is encouraging, there is considerable concern in the engineering industry about the Government's ever-increasing regulations for business. During the passage of the Employment Relations Bill, I made a (brilliant) speech to the Commons (Hansard 9 February 1999, Column 188) highlighting this. I noted the anxieties expressed by the Engineering and Employers Federation (amongst many others) who have argued that the Bill, with its increased costs and burgeoning red tape, will create the climate for increased industrial unrest and inhibit recruitment so damaging future job prospects.