Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Michael Fabricant (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 7 June 2007 on behalf of the Minister for Women.

Science Careers

Question: I thank the Minister for that helpful answer. As she will know, engineering no longer means walking around with a heavy monkey wrench. Although when I used to go to the Soviet Union in the 1980s I would see women engineers with heavy monkey wrenches, nowadays it is much more a question of thought, intelligence and design. Does the Minister not agree that women have a particular skill in engineering and ergonomics—designing what is right for the man-machine, and woman-machine, interface—which makes this an ideal career path?

Answer: The hon. Gentleman is, of course, right—although, as he knows, many women do possess the physical strength to carry around various tools. We know from the latest data that 72 per cent. of women with such qualifications are not working in the science, engineering and technology professions, and I hope that everyone involved will do more to return women to those professions, because we need their skills.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 461 c401-2
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Women Employment Engineering Technology Science Engineering and Technology Board
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk