AN influential think-tank today calls on the Government to give some clout to a North-East assembly - particularly in the field of transport.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) warns that the Government's proposals as they stand risk devolving "responsibility without power" to regional assemblies.

It is expected that those proposals, outlined in a Government White Paper earlier this year, will begin the process of becoming law when they are included in the Queen's Speech in a couple of months' time. The speech at the opening of Parliament outlines what legislation the Government is hoping to pass.

John Adams, senior researcher at IPPR, said: "The importance of devolution cannot be underestimated, and in some ways the proposals to devolve power to England's regions are more radical than devolution in Scotland and Wales.

"It is a long overdue reform, and we look forward to referendum legislation in this November's Queen's Speech."

But Mr Adams, who helped Labour draw up its plans for devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland prior to its election victory in 1997, said: "I am disappointed that more powers are not to be devolved from Whitehall, and it is illogical for the Government to make the case for regional differences in skills and transport but then to retain control in Whitehall.

"It is devolving responsibility without power.

"We are particularly concerned about the centralising proposals contained in the White Paper, which may still allow Whitehall to pull the strings, even if regional assemblies are created. Devolution is about letting go."

Mr Adams's pamphlet for the IPPR, which is published today, has been written with Professor John Tomaney, the well-known devolution campaigner who works at Newcastle University.

It is expected that the North-East will be the first region to utilise the forthcoming legislation and hold a referendum to determine whether it wants its own regional assembly.