Written question asked by Robert Key (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 December 2001. It was answered by Brian Wilson (Labour) on Monday, 10 December 2001 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the role of the Engineering and Technology Board is; who the Chairman is; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the role of the Engineering and Technology Board is; who the chairman is; and if she will make a statement. [21504] Mr. Wilson: The Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) has been set up to be responsive to the needs of the "wider engineering and technology community" and reflect the interests of key stakeholder groups, including business and industry, registered engineers, professional institutions, academia and the rapidly developing technology sector. It is based on extensive preparatory work undertaken by The Hawley Group and an ETB `Shadow Board'. The ETB starts work formally in the new year and high on the ETB's list of priorities will be issues such as: skills; the importance and attractiveness of engineering and technology-based careers; and the needs of the rapidly growing technology sector. The first chairman of the Engineering and Technology Board is Dr. Robert Hawley, who also chaired the shadow ETB and the Engineering Council. On 1 January 2002 Sir Peter Williams will replace him as ETB chair. A second organisation, the Engineering Council (UK) (ECUK) took over the former Engineering Council's regulatory functions at the close of the 6 December Engineering Council Senate meeting. Professor Patrick Dowling was named as the first EC(UK) chair.

Secondary information