41.   The decision was taken after a two-year long study by the Department of Health.

42.   But Chief Executive Ralph Murray has promised that no hasty decision will be taken and that full consultation will be held with the carers before any action is taken.

43.   The decision was taken reluctantly by the company with a number of important orders on the books.

44.   Strike a chord Until two weeks ago, Mr Lamont was a trusted ally of the Prime Minister, always present when he took the big decisions.

45.   The report accuses DTI staff of taking decisions on the basis of telephone conversations, of which written records were not kept.

46.   He said he would be writing to the chief executive of the county council to ask him why the decision had been taken.

47.   Nicholas Thorne-Wallis, chairman, said that no final decision had been taken over the proposals and Coun.

48.   Mrs Rose Davison called for more options to be considered by the council.

49.   Mr Fallon said the proposed assembly would mean all important decisions would be taken in Newcastle leaving Darlington with the rank of a parish council.