91998E2912

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2912/98

by Richard Corbett (PSE) to the Commission

(2 October 1998)

Subject: Merseyside's new image

In the context of a new round of Objective 1 measures to benefit Merseyside, does the Commission agree that the issue of Merseyside's image must be properly addressed?

Is the Commission willing to highlight the fact that, contrary to traditional popular perceptions:

- Merseyside has the lowest crime rate of any Metropolitan County in Britain, including the lowest rate of burglary offences, the lowest level of vehicle crime and one of the lowest levels of violent crime;

- productivity per worker on Merseyside is 12 % higher than the UK national average;

- unemployment fell by 21,6 % in 1996 and 1997;

- the number of people on Merseyside with vocational qualifications of NVQ level 3 is 10 % higher than in the UK as a whole;

- 29 % of Merseyside's GDP is derived from the science/technology sector - the highest proportion in the UK;

- the business start-up rate on Merseyside is, jointly with London, the highest in the UK;

- Liverpool has more business web sites than any other European city;

- Liverpool is the most advanced city in the UK regarding cable television;

- the Port of Liverpool is currently recording its highest tonnage level ever;

- Merseyside has the lowest rate of fatal road accidents in the UK (which is itself the lowest of any EU Member State);

- the pollution load on the River Mersey has fallen by 80 % in 25 years?

Does the Commission intend to help publicise these facts?