§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the working of the Merseyside urban development corporation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinYes. I am satisfied that the Merseyside development corporation is making good progress in implementing its development strategy. Its programme of land reclamation, site assembly and environmental improvement is well under way. Reclamation of the disused south docks has started; small industrial units have been completed in Bootle and Liverpool; MDC has attracted substantial private sector interest in the conversion of old buildings to new uses; and the reclamation of 250 acres of heavily polluted and severely degraded land at Riverside will provide development land as well as the setting for the international garden festival in 1984.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many jobs have been created by the Merseyside urban development corporation to date.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinSome 600 people are currently employed on the 160 contracts — representing expenditure of over £27 million—let by the MDC to date: the majority of these contracts have been let to firms based in Merseyside. Further new jobs have already been created by private sector industrial activity within the designated area; and the rehabilitation of derelict land and buildings can be expected to attract further activity in future.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation has taken place with local community groups concerning the development of the Merseyside urban development corporation.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinExtensive consultation with local community and voluntary groups in Merseyside was undertaken during the production of MDC's initial development strategy in 1981. Since then public meetings have been held frequently in the designated area in order to keep local people closely informed about MDC's442W proposals. The corporation also produces a newsletter on a regular basis in which it is stressed that the corporation welcomes comments on any aspect of its activities.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will assess the number of jobs expected to be created by the Merseyside urban development corporation (a) in the next year and (b) in the longer term.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe number of people employed on MDC's contracts is expected to remain at approximately the current level over the next 12 months. It is of course difficult to predict future employment levels. The long-term future will largely depend on the willingness of the private sector to invest in the area. MDC will continue to play its part in working to create the right conditions for such investment to come forward.