HC Deb 14 December 1978 vol 960 cc358-9W
Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what recommendations were made in the final P.A. Managament Consultants report commissioned by him on inner Merseyside which advised as to the best way to regenerate the local economy; and, in view of the report, what action the Government are proposing to take.

Mr. Les Huckfield

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave the Government's preliminary response to the report by P.A. Management Consultants on inner Merseyside on 2nd August 1978. —[Official Report, c. 360–2.]

The main recommendations in the report and the subsequent action by the Government can be summarised as follows:

  1. (a) Action to overcome the short-term lack of land in inner Liverpool for industrial development The Liverpool inner city partnership committee, chaired by the Secretary of State for the Environment, is already reviewing holdings of vacant land including those by nationalised industries and statutory undertakers. This review also covers the bringing of these holdings into productive use.
  2. (b) Improved co-ordination of industrial promotion The present method of attracting investors to Merseyside—by advertising and reacting to 359 enquirers—should be supplemented by identifying potential investors and trying to persuade them that Merseyside meets their particular needs. One of the main objectives of the Liverpool inner city partnership committee is to concert efforts to stimulate economic regeneration. The committee has adopted a Governement proposal that a sub-committee should be set up under the chairmanship of the Under-Secretary of State for Industry to look into the relevant recommendations.
  3. (c) The Government should consider making more aid available to service industries, on which Merseyside has a higher than average dependence The Government are reviewing the scale of the assistance available to attract mobile service industries to the assisted areas.
  4. (d) The Port of Liverpool should be smaller, better equipped and more specialised These recommendations are being considered urgently.
  5. (e) A charter for industrial relations should be agreed between local employers and unions This is a matter primarily for local employers and unions.