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Responding to the Downturn and Planning the Future Economy

It is good to be in Barnsley, which I represented as a Member of the European Parliament for five years. However, it is difficult for a single Member to represent such a large region that has little cohesion. Many of my constituents in Whitby would consider Middlesbrough, which is in a different region, to be their nearest big town. They even get their local television from Newcastle upon Tyne. It is early days for these Grand Committees. It was interesting that only five questions were tabled. Normally, 25 questions would have been tabled and there would have been a draw, so that is hardly a ringing endorsement. I am able to speak only because of the durability of the bladders of Members in the room because we are only just quorate. Perhaps we should consider whether we need both the Select Committee and the Grand Committee for the region to have its voice heard. My party suggests that we have the Grand Committees rather than the Select Committees—[ Interruption. ]