§ 43. Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he has taken since coming to office to improve employment prospects in the North-West Region.
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§ Mr. Gregor Mackenzie:The Government have doubled the rate of regional employment premium, strengthened the industrial development certificate control in non-assisted areas, and granted special development area status to Merseyside. In addition, 18 advance factories have been allocated to the region in the past year, and a 21-acre site at Liverpool has been acquired from the Property Services Agency for factory development. The region will receive nearly 4,400 jobs as a result of Government dispersal plans. When the National Enterprise Board and the planning agreements system come into operation we shall be able to do still more to improve employment prospects.