§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Employment what have been the net changes in the number of jobs since 1979 (a) on Merseyside, (b) in Kirkby and (c) in Prescot.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe available information on employment in local areas is from the June 1978 and the following — most recent — September 1981 census of employment. Net changes in the number of employees in employment in that period, on Merseyside and in the jobcentre areas of Kirkby and Prescot, which includes Huyton, are as follows:
Net changes in the numbers of employees in employment: June 1978 to September 1981 (thousands) Merseyside -60.6 Kirkby -5.2 Prescot (including Huyton)* -4.5 * The boundary of this area changed between 1978 and 1981 increasing the size of the area. Otherwise the net decrease in the level of employment would have been approximately 1,000 more.