THE Government provoked a storm of protest last night when it named the day for the regional assembly referendums without answering key questions about their powers.

Ministers hailed the announcement as an historic opportunity for the people of the North-East and Yorkshire to claim the benefits of self government already enjoyed in Scotland and Wales.

But critics said voters should have first been told what they will be voting for, with a clear description of the powers of the elected bodies.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott does not plan to publish its long-awaited draft Bill setting out the powers until July 22 - and has warned it could be delayed until the autumn.

Opponents warned there would be little enthusiasm for the assemblies unless voters believed real power was being given up by Whitehall departments.

They also called for a firm commitment to base a North-East assembly in Durham City and allay fears of a Tyneside bias.

Before the ballot can go ahead, government orders must be cleared by the Commons and Lords. But these could run in to trouble in the Lords over the Government's plan to use controversial postal ballots.

If the regulations are not passed before July 22, when MPs leave Westminster for the summer, the draft Bill will not be published until September - after campaigning has begun.

Following claims of postal fraud in the recent European elections, the Electoral Commission launched an investigation. That will not report until September 13.

Neil Heron, campaign director of the North-East No Campaign, said there were still no firm details about what the assembly would do.

He said: "The order defining the powers will be laid on the penultimate day of Parliament before they go on holiday. Nobody will discuss it.

"They are trying to sell us a nicely-wrapped box that has nothing in it. It is all spin."

Peter Atkinson, Tory MP for Hexham, Northumberland, who is also sceptical about the assembly proposals, said: "At the moment, the assembly will have very few powers over things that people are concerned about.

"Most of the issues - health, crime and education - will remain firmly in the hands of central government."

Not everyone was dismissive. Professor John Tomaney, chairman of the pro-assembly Yes4theNorth-East, described the announcement as great news.

He said the powers contained in the original White Paper had been added to and that the final shape of the body would be revealed in the draft Bill.

The proposals would give the assembly important powers including planning, economic regeneration and housing investment.

He said: "That will be something we can get our teeth into, but we will push for more powers to be devolved to the assembly. The principal itself is important, but we shouldn't underestimate the powers that are on offer. They are significant and, used properly, could make a big difference to life in the North-East.

"The assembly will be able to make decisions in important areas, whereas now these are made by civil servants in London and may disadvantage us."

North-East Chamber of Commerce chief executive George Cowcher said: "At least now we have confirmation of the date for the referendum, but we are still lacking clarity on the extent of powers which an elected regional assembly will have.

"The crux of the matter is about spending powers and responsibilities for the assembly as a whole - and only that information will genuinely engage North-East business in the debate."

The future of some North-East council services will also be decided in November's referendum.

If the region votes for an assembly, one of the two tiers of local government in County Durham and Northumberland will be abolished and replaced by a unitary system, similar to that in Darlington and on Teesside.

Voters in County Durham will choose between one county-wide council providing all services, or three smaller all-purpose councils for East, North and South Durham.