§ 13. Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans she has to reduce the level of unemployment on Merseyside; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe overall policy of the Department is to promote a free and flexible labour market that is designed to help to encourage employment in Merseyside, as in all other areas.
§ Mr. ParryThe Secretary of State will be visiting Liverpool next month. Will she take the opportunity of her visit to meet representatives of the building trade unions and construction employers to see what she can do to help get the industry back to work again, not only in Liverpool but throughout the United Kingdom? Such action is badly needed.
§ Mr. McLoughlinI am sure that, if there is time in the Secretary of State's diary, she will consider such a meeting, although I understand that a packed day is already planned. The hon. Gentleman will welcome the fact that the Chancellor went a long way in his autumn statement last year to protect capital projects, an action which vastly helped the building industry.