Bradford voters will be asked to decide if they want a "mini-Parliament" in Yorkshire without knowing if it will control transport, the Government has admitted.

And electors will not be told if a regional assembly would have powers over training and skills before the referendum on November 4.

The crunch policy responsibilities - key demands of pro-assembly campaigners -will be left out of the draft Bill, pencilled in for publication on July 22.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott cannot include them in the draft Bill because Cabinet ministers have not decided exactly which powers will be given up by Whitehall departments.

These disagreements will strengthen one of the main arguments of the anti-devolutionists - that people are being asked to "vote blind".

The gaps in the draft Bill were revealed by Nick Raynsford, the local government minister, following rising pressure on the government to publish it quickly. Mr Raynsford said: "Discussions are continuing with other government departments, notably in relation to training and skills and transport issues.

"John Prescott will want to make a statement on them at the time of the draft Bill. They will not be included in the draft Bill, but discussions are continuing.

"We have concentrated on powers that enable assemblies to make an improvement to the economic performance of the region. That's the priority."

Mr Raynsford said the Bill would contain beefed-up powers over the fire service and planning, as well as a requirement to involve business, the voluntary sector and faith groups.

A spokeswoman said more powers could be still be pledged in a future Bill - but that would not be published before the referendum.

If there is a "Yes" vote, an assembly containing 25 to 35 members and controlling a £500 million budget, will be set up.

Jane Thomas, campaign manager for Yes 4 Yorkshire, said she would be disappointed if an assembly did not have powers over transport. She said: "It is a bread and butter issue for people in the street. Frankly, learning and skills is not."

But she said it was more important to have a regional body which could push transport quangos, such as the Strategic Rail Authority and Highways Agency, to invest capital in Yorkshire.

She said: "It is absolutely vital we have an assembly with political clout which can bang the drum for the region over transport."