NORTH-west bosses are to quiz regional MPs at a Bolton meeting.

Representatives from the Confederation of British Industry have the chance to discuss important issues at the Reebok Stadium on Friday, May 15.

The event has added significance because all but one of the MPs attending - Liberal Democrat Andrew Stunell from Hazel Grove - are Labour.

The others include David Crausby (Bolton North East), Terry Lewis (Worsley), Ruth Kelly (Bolton West) and David Chaytor (Bury North).

CBI members are likely to ask questions about Regional Development Agencies, transport issues, Welfare to Work, European Monetary Union and export issues.

Exporters, particularly, are concerned by the effects of the high value of sterling.

Many are likely to have a robust message for the Labour Government, which has been in office for nearly a year.

The event will also include situation reports from CBI members on problems such as cost pressure, prices and capital spending.

Mr Alan Wood, Chairman of CBI North-west, will chair the meeting, which is hosted by Allen plc from Blackrod.

A CBI spokeswoman said: "We are likely to be oversubscribed for this event - we are already near that mark."

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