§ Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the construction industry on Merseyside.
§ Mr. Heseltine:The creation of the Merseyside Development Corporation and the establishment of the Speke enterprise zone in recent months will stimulate development and lead to employment opportunities. The garden festival planned for 1984 will help employment in the construction industry. Following my visit to Liverpool in July, I also announced a number of initiatives which should create additional jobs, some in construction. On 9 October the Prime Minister announced the setting up of a task force to carry forward this work. The remit of the task force includes consideration of how available resources can be co-ordinated to this end.