asked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the report of the National Enterprise Board on investment potential in the North-East and the North-West that, in order to stimulate office employment on Merseyside, special arrangements should be made between the Liverpool Corporation, a developer and his Department to build a speculative office block in Liverpool to attract office employment from outside the assisted area.

The Liverpool City Council has been consulted about the proposal, which is still being studied by the Department.