§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement as to the purpose of the visit to Merseyside on 15 June, specifying whom he met, what was discussed, and what steps are now planned in the light of the discussions which took places.
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§ Mr. Jim LesterI visited Merseyside on 15 June to gain a first-hand impression of the problems there.
During my visit, I met members of the staff of a jobcentre in Liverpool and representatives of local authorities, with whom I discussed ways in which the Government could help to retain existing jobs and create new ones in the area.
In the light of my visit and the one made on 25 May by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, we are now considering how best we can help Merseyside. As part of this study I shall be paying an extended visit to Merseyside in mid-July and I hope to meet my hon. Friend and other hon. Members from the area there.