§ Q15. Mr. Lathamasked the Prime Minister whether she will take fresh initiatives on unemployment, urban decay and social deprivation, following the visit of the Secretary of State for the Environment to Merseyside and the disturbances in a number of British cities during the summer; and whether she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterFollowing my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's visit to Merseyside in July, I announced on 9 October that he would be taking a special interest in that area for a further 12 months, assisted by a new task force. I also announced that over 20 financial institutions had agreed to second managers to work with the Government to find ways of improving co-operation with the private sector on inner city problems. These arrangements are intended to point to new ways of tackling the economic, environmental and social problems of both Merseyside and other similar conurbations. More generally, I announced on 27 July a substantial widening of the programme of special employment and training measures designed to help the young unemployed in particular. We shall consider in due course what further measures may be needed in the light of the outcome of all these initiatives, and the forthcoming report from Lord Scarman on the civil disturbances.