John Prescott has been forced by Cabinet colleagues to water down his proposals to create all-powerful regional development agencies.
The White Paper due out next month is anticipated to propose weaker bodies with little or no spending responsibilities. The Deputy Prime Minister had been an advocate of agencies with strong powers. But according to a report in The Independent his plans had been opposed by Cabinet colleagues in the Education and Trade and Industry departments who would have to had to forfeit some of their responsibilities.
The Independent also takes a look at Kent and finds little enthusiasm for any radical new development agencies in the region.
- The Independent 23/10/97 page 14
