§ 31. Mr. Collickasked the Minister of Labour what proposals for providing employment for unemployed workers on Merseyside are to be put into operation arising from the recent visit of his Parliamentary Secretary to this district.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe efforts which are made to increase employment opportunities in the Merseyside Development Area are continuous. The recent meeting of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary with the Merseyside local employment committees has enabled us to profit by their members' valuable local knowledge, and various possibilities suggested are now under consideration.
§ Mr. CollickIs the Minister aware that his answer will not give very great satisfaction to the 26,000 people on Merseyside? Is he further aware that one of the urgent needs, particularly in Birken-head, is for modern factory premises, and that that request was urged upon his Parliamentary Secretary who, I understood, was to let us know the decision? Could the Minister tell us?
§ Sir W. MoncktonYes, Sir. In answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I am happy to assure him that the figures are now reduced to 24,500. In answer to the second part of his question, that was the first of the suggestions which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary put forward to the Departments concerned for consideration, namely, the provision of a communal factory at Birkenhead to accommodate small firms.
§ Mr. CollickThank you.