Joyce Quin, MP for Gateshead East, hinted that she would be willing to be a candidate to lead the new assembly as First Minister.

''I would love to have the opportunity to get the thing off to a good start. I would have to look at the timing and look at the situation at the time.

''I would certainly love to be involved in some way.''

The former Labour Minister added: ''In terms of funding, the fact that the Government is proposing to give money in a single pot, to allow the region to determine its own priorities, is very important. The region will have a much greater say over how the money is spent.

''I am also very pleased that the assembly will be able to control European funding, because it will be able to help pay for projects that the assembly gives priority to.

''In future, it will be the people in the region who have the biggest say.''