asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to reduce unemployment in the construction industry.

While the responsibility for the expansion of the construction industry rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, my Department will do everything possible to alleviate unemployment by means of the job creation programme, the temporary employment subsidy, the work experience scheme, community industry, the job release scheme and the entire range of training and retraining facilities available under the training opportunities scheme.