HC Deb 11 February 1970 vol 795 cc354-5W
Mr. Simon Mahon

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she is aware of the run-down now taking place at the English Electric factory at Netherton, Bootle; what action is being taken to off-set the growth of unemployment in North Merseyside; and it she will make a statement.

Mr. Dell

I am aware of this rundown and employment staff have been available at the factory to register and give advice to employees since 19th January. As North Merseyside is part of the Merseyside Development Area, a wide range of preferential incentives to industrial expansion is already available there. There has been a marked improvement in the relative position of the development area since mid-1964 when the development area unemployment rate was nearly 2½ times that of Great Britain.