I should like to ask the Minister about a category of skilled shortage which he did not refer to, the shortage of 500 electrical and mechanical engineers. I am aware that the Minister is not directly responsible for the training of such engineers but, in the light of his committee's report, has he taken any steps with his colleague, the Minister for Education, to eliminate the shortage?

This is an area of some concern but steps are being taken to eliminate the shortage. We are looking at this problem from a number of angles. In the short term I hope shortly to embark on an intensive advertising campaign to attract emigrants back, if that is possible. In the medium term I have arranged talks between the sub-committee of the Manpower Consultative Committee, the HEA and the NCA. Within the next week or so I hope to chair a meeting between the Department of Education and the sub-committee. The reason for the meeting with the HEA, NCA and the Department of Education is to look at possible conversion courses in the medium term and increasing courses for such skills in the long term.