A MEMBER of the Scottish Parliament was in the region yesterday to give his views on regional assemblies.

Leader of the Scottish Conservative Group, David McLetchie, made a visit to the Stockton Conservative Group headquarters as part of a tour of the North-East.

There, he addressed a meeting with Conservative councillors from across the Tees Valley to discuss campaigning in a referendum and the issue of devolution.

He said: "The reason for my visit was to share with my colleagues our experiences in Scotland.

"The whole devolution process is costly and in my view the money would be better spent on schools, roads and hospitals in the North-East.

"The regional assembly is going to use up powers from local councils and some may even end up being abolished, which will mean many local decisions will be taken by the central office.

"This will be a big change for many people and there will be a poorer quality of decision making by people who have no sympathy or sensitivity of the local area.

"I fear that they will ride roughshod over people's views and wishes."

Mr McLetchie said the next step for Conservatives in the North-East was to get together and set up a "no campaign" to devolution.

As part of his tour, Mr McLetchie also visited Newcastle where he met business people, and Hexham where he addressed the town's Conservative Association.