§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will bring forward further proposals to relieve the unemployment situation in Liverpool and Mersey-side.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe Government recognise that certain parts of the country, in particular Merseyside, require special help to overcome their unemployment problems. Our regional policies are designed to provide this help and Merseyside attracts the maximum assistance available.
Ultimately however, the prospects for reducing unemployment on Merseyside, as elsewhere in the country, depend upon industry and commerce working together to improve their competitiveness—by bargaining responsibly over pay and conditions by improving levels of productivity.