NEWS BRIEF: Prescott kick-starts campaign

Deputy prime minister John Prescott this week kick-started an information campaign for next year's referendums to bring elected assemblies to three northern regions. He promised that a yes vote in the North-West, the North-East and Yorkshire and Humberside would result in elected assemblies early in the next parliament. They would have responsibility for jobs, business, housing, planning, culture, tourism, fire and rescue.