HC Deb 12 October 1976 vol 917 cc100-1W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the recently published unemployment figures for Merseyside.

Mr. Golding

On 9th September there were 85,612 people registered as unemployed in the Merseyside special development area and the unemployment rate is still at nearly twice the national rate. The Government regard this level of unemployment with grave concern. The area stands to benefit from the additional measures to alleviate unemployment which were announced on 3rd August and 23rd September. However, the Government accept that there is still a very long way to go before the employment problems of Merseyside are solved.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he intends to take to alleviate the present high level of unemployment on Merseyside.

Mr. Golding

Merseyside has special development area status and is benefiting from the measures which the Government have taken to alleviate the worst effects of the recession; so far over 13,000 people have been assisted on Merseyside as a result of the temporary employment subsidy scheme, the job creation programme, and the recruitment subsidy for school leavers scheme. The Manpower Services Commission allotted an extra £1 million to job creation in Merseyside early in September and has now allotted another £2 million to Merseyside out of the extra funds for job creation announced on 23rd September. In addition I would expect the area to benefit from the work experience programme, the job release scheme when it begins on 3rd January 1977, and from the increased support for training announced on 23rd September.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the Under-Secretary's recent visit to Merseyside.

Mr. Golding

My recent visit to Merseyside, on 20th and 21st September, provided a welcome opportunity to meet local trade unionists, employers, and local authority representatives as well as local staff of my Department and of the Manpower Services Commission and its agencies. By gaining some firsthand knowledge of the area I have acquired a keener appreciaion of the considerable problems which it faces. I regret that because of the difficulties in Parliament I had to delay my visit for so long.