With respect, the right hon. Gentleman has touched on an important point : I have worked on this subject for a long time. Several years ago I set up a committee that made an analysis similar to that of the Finniston report. However, its suggestions were slightly different. I feel that an authority is needed. As a diffusion of accountability and responsibility is likely to cause drift, a new catalyst must be built into the system.

The institutions have a powerful voice. That voice must be ignored, because there are more important considerations. Until now, the institutions did a good job. However, one must look round the world. In almost every other major industrial country Governments have played a part in ensuring that the standards are right and that they continue to improve. One cannot say that about the record of the CEI. Standards have improved, but they have done so slowly. The council was set up because the profession was so fragmented. Although members of the smaller institutions complained about the recommendations, they have not been happy about the way that standards have improved under the CEI. There should be more drive behind accreditation and registration. The CEI does not have the breadth of vision to do that. A Government, or quasi-Government, body should be involved.

The Finniston report points out that there are many important areas of engineering. For example, major national investment is being made in power plants, and the chemical industry is responsible for large construction works. It is possible to argue that, at least, consultants should be licensed. Unless consultants can demonstrate that they have reached an appropriate level of qualification and can show that they have sufficient ability to take on responsibility, they should not be allowed to operate in particular areas or to take on Government work.