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Responding to the Downturn and Planning the Future Economy

The Select Committees have an in-built Government majority, even in the regions in which they do not have a majority of Members. I am sure that the Minister is keen to save taxpayers’ hard-earned money. The Select Committees are forecast to cost £1 million and the Grand Committees £300,000 a year. Perhaps that money could be spent more effectively. By buying a ticket from London, via Barnsley, back to Malton, rather than using the east coast main line, I am saving the taxpayer money, and I hope that other hon. Members try to do the same. The Government’s regional policy is in tatters. In 1997, we were encouraged to think that we would have regional government around the country. Following the disastrous result for the Government in the north-east, and the fact that they would not hold a referendum in Yorkshire, we now have no democratic accountability. The regional structures that we have do not relate to the people.