IT is necessary to have a serious debate on the future shape that the elected assembly for the region will take. But isn't the main question where we want decisions about this region to be taken?

The Government position is a starting point. The current regional development agency One NorthEast shows how we can have better local decision making.

It is a question of people here having the maturity and sense to take tough decisions about where money is best invested to produce wealth, reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for everyone in the region.

Our present system of local government doesn't seem to have benefited the region as a whole, therefore regional co-operation has to be the answer.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to decision making and the imbalance of power with regards to decision making in London doesn't help our region.

Perhaps we could revive the ancient name of Northumbria, but does it matter what the assembly is called so long as it can decentralise the decision-making process and allow us to be masters and mistresses of our own destinies? - P Jackson, North Shields.

THE aim of the first Council of European Municipalities and Regions was "to make regions sufficiently strong and able to deal with their central state and to fight for the political union of Europe".

Since 1994 the Committee of Regions has met annually, two representatives for each EU region, 12 of which are British. Aside from a permanent office in Brussels, some in Europe already have elected regional assemblies. Each region has a regional development agency and government office.

In England these get through £60bn a year of our money, as they and the EU deem fit. (Taxation without representation?)

I do not believe that a North East Assembly will lead to greater overall democracy and a better future. I believe it is the route to an impoverished little state called North-East on the outer fringes of a big country called Europe. - C Bull, Democracy Movement, Darlington.

MIDDLE EAST

WHAT strange double standards we see in the Middle East.

The US and UK governments are "concerned" and "troubled" at repeated massacres of Palestinian children using tanks, bombers and helicopter gun-ships. The suicide bombers, who kill Israeli children, are condemned without any reservations.

Could it be that the Israeli military, using technology supplied by the US and UK, is using means of killing and maiming that are more humane than the rather crude home-made devices of the suicide-bombers? Or is it simply that Palestinian children are less precious than Israeli children?

Why are there no sanctions against Israel for flouting UN resolutions for 35 years in occupying Palestinian land?

No wonder the US is opposed to an International Criminal Court where Sharon and other Israelis could be facing charges of war crimes. - Stuart Hill, Darlington.

BLACK & DECKER

FOR being a citizen of work-devastated Spennymoor, CT Riley's suggestion that all US bases around the world should be closed, absolutely surprises me. (HAS 12 Oct).

Has anyone any idea of just how many thousands of British workers would lose their jobs if only those in the UK were to close? Then what about the collateral damage to other businesses in the vicinity of these bases? - Peter Turnbull, Darlington.

ROBINS CINEMA

IF, as appears increasingly likely, Robins Cinema in Durham closes later this year, the policies of Durham City Council will again be seen to be failing abjectly.

Yes we have a potentially great new theatre, but it sits proudly over a cliff covered with black polythene overlooking a decrepit open air car park. Where is the bright new commercial development we were promised? Why is there no sign of the also promised new cinema complex?

The incompetence of the Labour-run city council has made the management of the Gala a mockery. Now it is leading to the closure of our only cinema.

In the meantime, the number of alcohol outlets rises and the police voice increasing concerns over drink-related public disorder.

We need more variety in the types of entertainment and relaxation in the city, not less. - County Councillor Nigel Martin, Liberal Democrat, Durham.

EDUCATION

I DON'T exactly know what has happened with the so called A-level exam scandal but at least it has brought the whole issue of assessment into the public eye.

Children and young people who go to state schools and further education colleges in England are probably the most tested in the world, sitting approximately 105 exams between the age of 11 and 18.

This excessive level of assessment costs approximately three times as much as useful school resources such as books and wastes up to 46 school weeks - more than a whole school year.

With 105 exams to cover there is now a massive army of examiners, markers, verifiers, co-ordinators, assessors, auditors, inspectors, managers, pen pushers etc.

Meanwhile actual teaching has become a secondary occupation for thousands of highly qualified, specialist practitioners.

I am not suggesting for a minute that assessment of children should be stopped. I would not like my appendix removed by an unqualified quack doctor. All children need assessment.

But even if three-quarters of the current volume of exams were scrapped, children would be much better educated. - J Gilmore, Bishop Auckland.