COMPERE of the Federation of Small Businesses conference, broadcast journalist and former small business owner Selina Scott, quizzed Conservative MP Andrew Jones, on investing in the north, rather than pumping more money into London-based projects like HS2.

Speaking at the conference, which took place yesterday in Scarborough, Ms Scott said: "You take your life into hands if you come along the A64. The number of people who have been killed on that road is an absolute disgrace for both Governments."

Ms Scott, who lives near Malton, said cross country trains from Scarborough were dirty and slow, to which Mr Jones, MP for Harrogate, said the Government was investing more in rail, in the north and south, than previous Governments and would invest in cross country trains after major infrastructure - where the biggest bang for the buck was felt.

Ms Scott said the Government's policy towards supermarkets was killing small local businesses. She gave the example of Malton, where she has become a champion for small business in the town, amid plans to build a new supermarket in the town's Wentworth car park.

Mr Jones said supermarkets had a good track record of creating jobs.