CHIEF Secretary to the Treasury, Paul Boateng, is expected to use a lunchtime session with North-East businesses to flesh out Labour's economic stance.

More than 70 guests are expected to attend the event jointly hosted by the North East Chamber of Commerce and the North East Business Forum.

The Labour Party's decision to hold its Spring conference in the North-East has given an opportunity for business people to quiz a leading Government minister.

Mr Boateng was appointed to his role in May 2002.

Before that he held the posts of Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Minister for Home Affairs and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health.