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IT took Sir Montague Finniston and his team two years and over £400,000 to come up with a solution to the shortage of and poor status of engineers. This does them no credit at all; and underlines if indeed it were necessary to do so, the objections raised in many quarters of the suggestion that yet another quango should provide that answer.

SPEAKING at a meeting of the Engineering Industry Marketing Group of the Institute of Marketing recently, Sir Montague Finniston, FRS, FMS, made an attack on the future plans of the British Steel Corporation. He maintained that to make substantial cuts in the Corporation's steelmaking capacity was “absurd”.

HEADING a Government committee charged with the task of recommending the registration and licensing of engineers is Sir Montague Finniston, President of the Institute. One would think that the task is impossible, if only for lack of definition.

It is very kind of you to have invited me to give the 8th Aslib Annual Lecture—although it is a wonderment to me on what grounds such a choice was made. I hope this audience does not expect me to inform them of the inner story of a recent public debate—or if you do, that you will not be disappointed in the alternative topic I have chosen for this address.

YEARS ago the only people who feared the law were the “baddies”. They took the risks of their nefarious profession and when they were copped, took their sentences with resignation as the price they had to pay for whatever it was that they had illegally gained.

EVERY so often a new “in” word comes into fashion and everybody seems to use it whether it fits or not. Words like “situation”, “productivity” and “management”. Words like “y'know” or “Oh yeah?”. Usually they are started by comedians or pop singers. For a while they drive us mad. Then, gratefully, they fall into disuetude. They are quickly forgotten.

The title of the Finniston Report acknowledges the national importance of engineering, it is therefore incumbent upon those engineering Institutions who have contributed to the work of the Committee also to comment upon its investigation, findings and conclusions. As a corporate member of both “Aviation” institutions I am moved to express my personal views on certain fundamental aspects of the Inquiry, with particular reference to our Industry.