A Labour MP believes that the Scottish and Welsh Secretaries can no longer be justified in the Cabinet under devolution.

MP David Clelland (Tyne Bridge) believes voters in Enland are already disadvantaged compared with Scottish and Welsh voters because England does not have regional assemblies.

Clelland said:"Surely it is no longer justifiable for Scotland and Wales to continue to have Secretaries of State representing their interests in the Cabinet when they have their own Parliament and Assembly.

He asked, during a discussion of parliamentary business: ''Does this not further disadvantage the English regions who are yet to have an assembly, let alone a Cabinet member, to represent their interests?''

Commons Leader Robin Cook replied: ''I think it is very important that the House and the Government should make sure that it does have proper channels of communication to the devolved bodies.

''I fully share your concern for making sure that the North-East is fairly represented. That is why this Government has created the prospect of a regional assembly for the North-East and any other region that wishes to have it.

''That is the best way forward to make sure that the people of the North East, and other regions, can have a direct say in who runs the local services of direct relevance to them.''

Updated 15.50, Thursday, July 12