Neil Herron

Assembly proposals 'half-baked'
Sep 24 2004
By Evening Gazette

Small business owners have criticised North-east Assembly proposals as a "half-baked dog's dinner".

The Forum of Private Business chief executive Nick Goulding said: "Many of our North-east members are unconvinced that what is proposed will create anything other than another layer of toothless and expensive politicians and bureaucracy.

"What is on offer is no more than a pathetic imitation of devolution, a half-baked dog's dinner.

The assembly would have no power over public services and control over less than 2pc of Government expenditure in the region. Small businesses do not want decision making taken away from their local councils."

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