asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take steps to improve employment prospects in Kirkby and on Merseyside; and what plans he has to increase the number of skill centre places.
Government measures to stimulate development and employment on Merseyside and other areas of high unemployment were set out in the reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 18th February. Of the 12 advance factories for Merseyside referred to in that reply, six are to be on the Knowsley Industrial Estate near Kirkby, which should benefit increasingly as the advance factory programme progresses. I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment that the Manpower Services Commission has no plans at present to increase the number of skill centre places in the Merseyside area.