asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the nature and amount of Government grants which have been made to companies on Merseyside since October 1974; and what steps the Government are taking to recover the sums so granted.

It is estimated that some £19·5 million has been paid to employers in the Merseyside special development area through the special employment measures administered by my Department. The total is made up as follows:

Temporary employment subsidy	17,000,000
Recruitment subsidy for school leavers	213,000
Youth employment subsidy	796,000
Small firms employment subsidy	1,379,000
Short time working compensation scheme	35,000
Adult employment subsidy	55,000

In addition, since 1975 the Government have made funds available, which are channelled through the Manpower Services Commission, for special training measures to maintain levels of apprentice recruitment in industry. Analysis of the funds below national level is not available.None of the sums paid are recoverable.These figures do not include grants which have been made to employers in the Merseyside special development area by other Government Departments.