§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people have been employed in tree planting and landscaping in Liverpool over the past three years; which are the firms involved in this work; where they are based; and what percentage of the work force is Liverpool labour.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe local authorities in the Liverpool inner city partnership have spent some £9 million over three years on a programme of environmental improvements, mostly tree planting and landscaping, thus creating substantial employment. I cannot give precise figures but a high proportion of work has gone to local firms. Local labour has been used wherever possible. I cannot answer for tree planting and landscaping works in local authority main programmes or by others.