VOTERS in York and North Yorkshire were today finally getting their say on controversial plans for a "mini-parliament" for the region.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was confirming in a Commons statement that there had been enough interest in setting up a regional assembly for Yorkshire and the Humber to justify a referendum next year.

Mr Prescott's deputy, Nick Raynsford, brushed aside critics who claimed there was only minimal interest in the assemblies.

But the Tories said only 8,000 people - just 0.01 per cent of the affected population - had responded to the consultation scheme on the proposals nationwide.

Mr Prescott's opposite number, David Davis, who was brought up in the Walmgate area of York, said: "The Government's desire to plough ahead with the referendums despite such huge disinterest defies belief."

Steve Galloway, Liberal Democrat leader of City of York Council, said he fully backed a regional assembly - which could be based in York - but said that the public desperately needed more information.

He said: "We are intuitive supporters of the establishment of a regional assembly in Yorkshire.

"Our concerns are that this may be taken as an opportunity to reduce the power of local people by switching responsibilities from local councils to the regional assemblies.

"Clearly York is the traditional capital of the North, with excellent transport links and an education system providing potential recruits to underpin a regional administration system."

John Weighell, Tory leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said the proposals were being brought forward far too quickly as few people knew anything about what was planned.

But if they went ahead the best form of local government for North Yorkshire would be a single council - based on the existing county authority.

He said: "The proposed powers of this (the assembly) are very, very limited and people don't realise that.

"It's not a government for Yorkshire at all."

The vote is expected to take place in October next year. A "yes" vote would see Government legislation to set up assemblies, with elections by 2006.

The Government has not yet agreed what powers the regional assemblies

would have, although Ministers say they would be able to raise money through council tax and borrowing.

Updated: 10:58 Monday, June 16, 2003