Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill
10:45 am
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
It appears that there is a body of opinion in the north-east region that is in favour of regional assemblies—it would be disingenuous to suggest otherwise. I am not at this stage going to predict the outcome of a referendum. During our preparations for dealing with the Bill we have had input from people from the north-east that suggests that the level of support for an elected regional assembly in accordance with the model that is proposed by the Government has been exaggerated.
Several hon. Members rose—