§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if, in view of the fact that unemployment on Merseyside is above the national average and that there 404W is a 25 per cent. rate of unemployment among males in Kirkby, he will take special measures that are specifically designed to provide stable long-term employment opportunities for the town;
(2) what plans exist to stimulate employment on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement on its future short and long-term industrial prospects.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieMerseyside, including Kirkby, was granted special development area status last year and the full range of regional incentives is now available to encourage investment. Merseyside should also benefit from recently introduced schemes for the modernisation of whole industries and for selective assistance to encourage companies to bring forward deferred major capital projects and moderinsation projects. In addition measures designed to check the rise in unemployment were announced on 24th September and measures specially to help the construction industry on 31st October. We shall continue to do everything possible to attract new employment-creating projects to Kirkby and other parts of Merseyside.