§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total value of benefits paid so far this year to the unemployed on Merseyside.
§ Mr. MayhewMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Security is responsible for the statistics of benefits paid to unemployed people. I understand that the information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
323W
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total cost so far in the current year of temporary employment measures on Merseyside.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI regret that the figures are not available in the form requested. I am, however, able to confirm that from the commencement of the current financial year to 30 September 1980 the estimated cost for special employment measures for the North-West region as a whole was as follows:
£m Special temporary employment programme 4.2 Community industry 1.4 Temporary short time working compensation scheme 10.5 Job release scheme (up to 21 October 1980) 12.7 Youth opportunities programme 16.4 Small firms employment subsidy 1.6
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the Under-Secretary of State's recent visit to Merseyside and the port of Liverpool.
§ Mr. MayhewThe visit was one of a series being undertaken by me in connection with my ministerial responsibility for the regulation of dock work. I have also visited the ports of Felixstowe, Ipswich, Sheerness, Bristol, Falmouth, Aberdeen, Peterhead, Montrose and London. Visits to other ports are being arranged.
During these visits I have had discussions with representatives of port employers, shop stewards, full-time union officials and the local dock labour boards.