REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES (PREPARATIONS) BILL

Early day motion 51, tabled 13 November 2002 by Hilton Dawson (Labour). Signed by 30 members.

That this House welcomes the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill; recognises that on 11th January the North West Regional Assembly resolved to seel elected status at the earliest opportunity; notes that opinion polls show 72 per cent. support in the North West for an Elected Regional Assembly and that a majority of the region's 170,000 businesses as well as 40 of the 46 local authorities in the region back the principle of elected regional government; believes that devolved regional government increases the democratic engagement of millions of people; applauds the NWRA Promise which makes five pledges, including the reduction of the power of quangos without increasing bureaucracy or cost, the removal of powers from London so that decisions are taken in the North West by the North West, and never undermining local government; concludes that an elected North West Regional Assembly can bring about a far reaching and lasting renewal of the North West; and therefore looks forward to the achievement of regional government for the North West at the earliest opportunity.

Signatures by party: Labour 21, Liberal Democrat 5, Labour/Co-operative 4.