§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he has to improve the unemployment situation in the construction industry on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Baldry[holding answer 14 April 1993]: My Department has a substantial programme of capital spending on Merseyside which will create new opportunities for employment in the construction sector. In housing almost £100 million will be provided in 1993–94 through the estate action and housing investment programmes, while the Housing Corporation will support about £95 million of housing association expenditure. The Liverpool housing action trust will be spending over £100 million over the next seven to 10 years on improvements to tower blocks. The three Merseyside city challenges currently anticipate the creation of over 200,000 person weeks of construction employment, and further opportunities will be created by the ongoing programme of Merseyside development corporation.
In addition, the Liverpool city action team is working with a wide range of agencies and organisations to improve access to construction employment opportunities for local residents.