Regions plan finds few to support it

Dec 22 2004
By Zoe Hughes, The Journal


A grand committee of MPs should be created to represent the North-East if the government is to stay true to its word of devolving power to local people, MPs say.

After the overwhelming rejection of an elected regional assembly last month, two MPs have urged ministers to back the idea of a Commons grand committee for the region - and the chance for politicians to have their own question time in the chamber.

The idea, from Lancashire MPs, tabled in a motion last night, demands new committees for each of the English regions, together with a Commons question time so "ministers become more accountable to the region".

It is just one suggestion on how the North-East can move on following the November 4 vote, however it has already been attacked by one regional MP who said it would be little more than another talking shop.

Tory Peter Atkinson, chairman of the Scottish and Northern Ireland grand committees before devolution, said MPs would not be able to question ministers thoroughly and would not have the power to haul local business and political leaders before them to explain their actions.

He recommended instead regional select committees, whereby MPs could invite council, business and community leaders to answer questions about specific issues and where MPs could report on problems in the North-East.

The Hexham MP said: "If we had a select committee we would, for example, deal with the Northumberland schools reorganisation issue and have a facility where we call the director of education in for questioning." Gateshead MP Joyce Quin, an advocate of regional assemblies, said of the grand committees plan: "Overall the idea is good because you do need to have structures in the Commons which better reflect the needs of the English regions.

"It would give you an opportunity to raise issues specific to the region."
In reality, though, it would be left to the existing unelected regional assembly, businesses, councils and voluntary organisations to work together to deal with issues in the North-East, she said.

"I do feel the referendum result was nothing short of a tragedy for the region, given the fact that I believe we did have a unique opportunity to create something which would make the region stand out, but it was not accepted and we have to look at every other possible angle to deal with issues that arise."