Brown backs bid to create jobs; We have the right skills, minister tells Japanese.

Byline: William Green 

THE Minister for the North East yesterday spoke of his confidence in a bid for thousands of new jobs for the region. Japanese giant Hitachi is lining up Gateshead as a possible location for a factory to assemble a new generation of high-speed trains.

MP Nick Brown said he had held talks with the firm - and left bosses with what he described as a "very strong" case.

Hitachi is assembling a pounds 7.5bn fleet of super-express Agility Trains, with Gateshead's Tyne Yard lined up as one of the contenders to deliver the contract.

The Japanese firm is also considering rival bids from Sheffield, Leicestershire and Leeds.

Mr Brown, MP for Newcastle East and Wallsend, met bosses from the company in Downing Street this week. He said: "It was a good meeting and I set out the case for our site. It is very strong. It is the sort of work that people want to do.

"They would get a good workforce and the site is ideal as it is next to the railway line and the A1.

"Gateshead's reputation for dealing with the private sector is excellent. It is very business focused." The North East Minister is meeting local business chiefs as part of an initiative by Gateshead Council leader Mick Henry.

Mr Brown also spoke in detail about the expenses scandal that has swept Westminster. As the Government's Chief Whip, he has played a central role in dealing with the fallout.

He compared the intensity of events to the height of the 2001 foot and mouth crisis, when he was Agriculture Minister.

Mr Brown said it was vital to pay attention to detail and always think through the consequences.

He said: "It is the same as it was then. It is important to keep the strategic priorities at the forefront of our minds.

"There are recessionary forces in the economy and it is our responsibility to get the whole country through." He stressed the need to help the hardest-hit, such as those who have lost their jobs.

On the expenses scandal, Mr Brown said new laws setting up an independent watchdog backed by criminal sanctions would come to the Commons next Wednesday.

He said: "People say you are being a bit tough on yourself, but the response, which I think is the right one, requires it. This is going to be put right and there are no half measures."

'WE MUST SETTLE ROW OVER POST OFFICE DEAL'

NICK Brown pledged an "acceptable" solution would be found to defuse anger over the part sell-off of Royal Mail.

He said: "We do need the Bill. The part-equity sale is controversial.

"I want to find a way through that is acceptable to the overwhelming majority of the Parliamentary Labour party and to our friends and supporters in the Labour and trade union movement.

"It has left the House of Lords. It is now waiting for a slot in the House of Commons, but I would like these issues settled before we introduce it."

Wansbeck's Denis Murphy, Easington's John Cummings and Blaydon's Dave Anderson are among the 62 MPs to have signed a Commons motion calling for a Government rethink on the issue.

It has raised doubts over the benefits of part-privatisation.

CAPTION(S):

STRONG CASE Minister for the North East Nick Brown believes Hitachi should open a factory building high-speed trains in Gateshead