Lord Pattenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 23 February (WA 207) and the Lord Filkin on 23 February 2004 (WA 10), whether the absence or otherwise of a democratic deficit was a factor in their decision no longer to pursue elected regional assemblies. [HL1625]
§ The Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Lord Rooker)The reasons why the Government decided not to introduce the Regional Assemblies Bill nor lay orders calling referendums in Yorkshire and the Humber and the north-west were set out in an oral Statement on 8 November 2004, (Official Report, col. 674–76), and the oral Statement made by my right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister in the other place on 8 November 2004, (Official Report, Commons, col. 588–89).