§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Merseyside.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI visited Merseyside on 23 July. In the morning I toured the Albert dock complex and unveiled a plaque to mark the re-opening of the Hartley cast-iron cartway bridge. I saw the progress being made on the restoration works, and met the developers and some of the commercial tenants who are shortly to take up occupation of one of the warehouse blocks. I then had a discussion with the Merseyside Development Corporation.
In the afternoon, I opened the first phase of the Wavertree technology park which is located on 64 acres of former derelict land. This site has been reclaimed and will be serviced at a cost of £6.5 million entirely funded by my Department.
Later in the day I visited St. George's hall in Liverpool and discussed its future with representatives of the county and city councils.