asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the recent unemployment figures on Merseyside.

At 11 January, 87,344 people were registered as unemployed in the Merseyside special development area. This represents an unemployment percentage rate of 11·6 per cent. The Government recognise that the level of unemployment on Merseyside remains far too high but we are determined to do all we can to reduce it substantially. In addition to the various forms of financial assistance, which as a special development area it receives under the Government's regional policy, Merseyside has benefited from the wide range of special employment and training measures which have so far helped over 55,000 people there. The success of many of these measures, particularly those directed towards young people, depends to a large extent upon the co-operation of employers, trade unions, local authorities and voluntary organisations and I would appeal to them to do all they can to help. Merseyside will also benefit from the assistance granted under the Government's inner city policy to the Liverpool partnership.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the number of unemployed under 18 years, between 18 years and 30 years, 30 and 50 years, and 50 and 65 years, respectively, on Merseyside at the latest available date.

Following is the information for the Merseyside special development area at 12 October 1978, the latest date for which the quarterly age analysis is available.

NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED
Age
under 18	13,081
18 to 29	37,412
30 to 49	23,700
50 to 64	13,835

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many construction

Special development areas						Numbers registered as unemployed who last worked in the construction industry	Percentage rate of unemployment in the construction industry
Merseyside		…	…	…	…	10,713	23·1
North-East		…	…	…	…	13,450	19·1
West Cumberland			…	…	…	632	15·3
North-West Wales			…	…	…	1,029	16·5
South Wales		…	…	…	…	3,200	18·3
Dundee and Arbroath			…	…	…	917	11·0
Girvan	…	…	…	…	…	59	22·1
Glenrothes		…	…	…	…	134	8·1
Leven and Methil			…	…	…	145	8·1
Livingston		…	…	…	…	200	12·3
west Central Scotland			…	…	…	13,537	16·1
All special development areas—excluding Merseyside						33,303	17·3

The numbers unemployed relate to the employment office areas which comprise the special development areas. The unemployment rates have been calculated for the "best-fit" of complete travel-to-work areas, the rates for Glenrothes and Leven and Methil are for the Kirkcaldy travel-to-work area while for Livingston the rate is that for the Bathgate travel-to-work area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the construction industry on Merseyside, in the light of the recent unemployment figures; and if he will make a statement.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.