1145
Information Technology:
[LORD GRIMOND.}
[LORDS]
aking the opinion of the ordinary people of Hong Kong? Can she give the House the assurance that that will be done. and done in the fairly near future?
Baroness Young: My Lords. I did not say in answer to a previous question that we only took the view of the Governor of Hong Kong, but I take the point of the noble Lord and we shall of course continue to keep in close touch with the views of the people of Hong Kong. However, it is too early to say exactly how Hong Kong opinion will be consulted on any specific arrangements for the future.
Lord Renton: My Lords, will my noble friend suggest to our right honourable friend the Secretary of State that he might well combine his diplomatic skill and great experience in our law tactfully to point out to the Chinese that our systems of justice are quite different. and that we in particular attach great importance to the independence of the judiciary?
Baroness Young: My Lords. I shall certainly draw to my right honourable friend's attention the point that my noble friend has just made.
Lord John-Mackie: My Lords. did Jardine Matheson give the Government notice of what they were going to do? If they did. what steps did the Government take to dissuade them?
Baroness Young: My Lords, on that particular point the Government had no'opportunity to influence the decision of Jardine Matheson in any way. It was in fact a commercial decision on their part.
Lord Fanshawe of Richmond: My Lords. is my noble friend aware that her remarks and answers this afternoon will be widely welcomed in Hong Kong? Will she ensure that as soon as possible a detailed statement is made by my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary in order to relieve the uncertainty which is causing concern and has done for some months now?
Baroness Young: My Lords. I thank my noble friend for his remark. I certainly take note very carefully of all that he has said and I will confirm that we shall ensure how best your Lordships may be informed of the results of the visit of my right honourable friend.
Lord Mackie of Benshie: My Lords, will the noble Baroness expand on the reply to my noble friend Lord Grimond? At what point would the Government propose to consult the people of Hong Kong: after they have made the agreement or before?
Baroness Young: My Lords, at present I cannot add anything further to what I have said on this matter. Negotiations are still continuing and we shall take an opportunity, as I have said, to consui: opinion in Hong Kong. What is important and what I think is implied in the noble Lord's Question. and which is Government policy. is that any agreement at the end will be acceptable to the British Parliament, to the Government of China and to the people of Hong Kong.
New Jobs
Information Technology: New Jobs
2.52 p.m.
1146
Baroness Vickers: My Lords. I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many jobs have been created in information technology as a result of the Government's "new blood" and information technology initiatives.
Baroness Young: My Lords. the Government's information technology initiative is being introduced over three years beginning with the academic year 1983-84. Only limited information is available about the number of new jobs being created. In the universities about 130 new academic posts are planned, of which 61 have been filled to date. In addition, 33 IT Fellows were appointed for 1983-84 with funds from the Science and Engineering Research Council. and over 100 additional fellowships will be available for the later years of the programme.
As yet, no figure is available for the number of jobs being created in the polytechnics and other colleges. but it is estimated that about 100 new academic posts have been created to date and that the total of academic posts will be more than double this. In both sectors. new jobs may also be created for technicians and other staff, but no estimate of the numbers involved is available.
The "new blood” scheme covers the whole range of academic subjects, but the allocation of posts for 1984-85 recently announced by the University Grants Committee included 13 posts in subjects related to information technology.
Baroness Vickers: My Lords. I thank my noble friend for that reply. Can she give me breakdown between men and women in the "new blood" section and also in the information technology section? Will she try to get more students for these two courses?
Baroness Young: My Lords. I can say that there is a small and steady increase in the numbers of women taking courses in technology. Overall, in higher education, in science subjects 30 per cent. are women. 8 per cent. of university students in engineering are women, and 3 per cent. of those in polytechnics studying engineering are women. It is my hope that more women will go for places in the women-in- science and women-in-engineering courses which are being established.
Lord Avebury: My Lords. I wonder whether the noble Baroness has had an opportunity to look at the numerous pages of advertisements for jobs in journals such as Computing and Computer Weekly? If she has done so. has she noticed that the vast majority of employers are asking for several years' experience in the relevant skills? Therefore, what steps are the Government taking to ensure that the people coming. out of the universities and polytechnics obtain the practical training in programming and other skills which is necessary for them to be able to apply for the sort of jobs that are widely advertised and where the skills are most needed.
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