PLANS to return "home rule" to Yorkshire by establishing a local parliament were finally being unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott today.
In a statement to the Commons, he was outlining his vision to establish a directly-elected regional assembly if the idea is supported by residents in a referendum.
The move, which has been the subject of a hard-fought campaign, would take powers from Westminster and hand them back to Yorkshire.
But North Yorkshire residents would have to pay a heavy price for the establishment of a regional assembly - the loss of the county council.
Mr Prescott was set to explain that any region which wants a regional assembly will have to abolish a "tier" of local government to avoid "duplication".
Jane Thomas, director of the Campaign for Yorkshire, welcomed the publication of the White Paper. She said: "We could see a referendum within two to five years."
But Ms Thomas said: "There will have to be some restructuring of local government."
North Yorkshire will be worst-affected by the reorganisation of local government as it is the only area in the region with a county council.
The North-East is expected to be the first region to hold a referendum. Yorkshire is expected to follow closely behind.
Updated: 11:29 Thursday, May 09, 2002
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