§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the recent unemployment figures on Merseyside.
§ Mr. Golding:Provisional figures show that on 9th November 1978 there were 86,685 persons registered as unemployed in the Merseyside special development area. The unemployment rate for the area was 11.5 per cent.
The Government recognise that whilst the latest figures represent a welcome improvement on the position 12 months earlier, the unemployment level on Merseyside is still far too high. As a special development area Merseyside will continue to benefit from the highest levels of regional assistance available under the Industry Act, and from the wide range of special employment and training measures which so far have helped over 54,000 people there. In the coming months the extension of the small firms employment subsidy, which my right hon. Friend announced on 9th November, will provide further help. The Government will, through the inner city partnership and in other ways, continue to strive to bring prosperity to Liverpool.