No doubt the cynics will dismiss John Cheffins' blunt warningabout the possibility of Bristol jobs being lost abroad asscaremongering or the unsubtle application of political pressure.
But when the Rolls-Royce boss says the company could move itsmanufacturing overseas unless there is better support for UK researchscientists, he should be heeded seriously. Very seriously.
For unless we can stimulate more young people to emerge from ouruniversities as the new breed of scientists and engineers, theBritish brain pool will shrink out of sight.
And, shudder at the shameful thought, graduates in India and Chinawill outstrip us in research and development.
The Government must also recognise that companies such as Rolls-Royce operate at a disadvantage against their competitors in theUnited States.
Over there, massive state aid is dished out to their own aerofirms.
And our politicians must also take notice not just of Rolls-Roycebut of every major employer who has warned them of the consequencesof a corporate tax system which is unwieldy and punitive.
It seems that almost every other month, a call centre is layingoff British workers and moving operations to Bangalore, Bangladesh orBangla-Somewhere; James Dyson moved his Wiltshire operation toMalaysia and made his vacuum cleaner firm far more competitive; roadhaulier Eddie Stobart has already registered 100 of his vehiclesabroad in protest against high excise and fuel duties.
A Government which has think-tanks on everything from road conesto the dangers of kids playing conkers ought to be arresting thesetrends now, before the steady outward flow of expertise startsthreatening to become a torrent.
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