§ Mr. Dellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is now taking to reduce the level of unemployment in the building industry on Merseyside.
§ Mr. AmeryThe Government's measures to stimulate demand and investment should increase activity in the building industry on Merseyside as elsewhere. In the development and intermediate areas on the North West, the industry will also benefit from the extra provision for infrastructure works; so far £19 million of additional work has been arranged. Under the arrangements for increased house improvement grants in these areas, local authorities are planning to improve about 12,000 of their houses by June, 1973 and there has been a substantial increase in applications for improvement grants for the private sector.