§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Employmemt what specific steps he is taking to reduce unemployment on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. NichollsMy Department, through its employment service and Training Agency, operates a wide range of employment, enterprise and training measures, which are all available in Merseyside, as elsewhere.
In addition, as in other inner city areas, a number of initiatives have been adopted aimed at helping unemployed people in Liverpool to find employment, and at encouraging employers to recruit local unemployed people. Since April the Liverpool city action team has approved 26 employment and training projects.
During the 12 months to September 1989 unemployment in the Merseyside county has fallen by 20,294—18.9 per cent. of the September 1988 figure.