John Prescott must have feared the worst when he walked into the spotlight in front of 200 Yorkshire business people ready to be quizzed on his ideas for a Yorkshire Parliament.

After all, it's not just been Bradford Chamber of Commerce which has come down strongly against his plans for an elected regional assembly, with repeated surveys indicating either indifference or opposition.

But, during Friday's debate at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the Deputy Prime Minister issued a passionate plea for industry to look carefully at the economic benefits of backing the "yes" campaign.

So were they convinced?

Tim Hindley, chief executive, Bradford Breakthrough: "Mr Prescott certainly hasn't persuaded me; I am still dead against it. I heard nothing that made me believe that the £5 million salary bill would be money well spent.

"I think the reaction of the audience reflected the attitude of business people in West Yorkshire: that they are still not yet convinced. Even now, Mr Prescott is still unable to give us all the answers."

Denis Kaye, deputy chairman of Institute of Directors in Yorkshire: "In theory, an elected regional assembly could provide joined up economic, transport, health and education strategies for the benefit of all of us in Yorkshire and the Humber.

"However, at the IoD, we are pragmatists and know that another layer of government is a layer too many. We struggle to find sufficient good candidates to represent us in Westminster, in Europe and on local councils without seeking more."

David Warren, partner at MGI Watson Buckle, in Cottingley: "I am in favour of the proposed Yorkshire assembly, although I do accept people's fears that it could introduce a further layer of bureaucracy and that the plans as outlined are a bit vague at present.

"As an outsider, I think Yorkshire is a fabulously diverse county, has the potential to be a very strong trading region and should be one of the most significant economic areas in the UK.

"There are very few areas that combine the strengths that the area has, in manufacturing, in financial services and the professions, in retail, in emerging businesses such as IT, in tourism and in transport.

"I'd like to think that the proposed Yorkshire Assembly will work as an umbrella to bring even better focus to developing Yorkshire as a region that can compete both nationally and internationally."

Sandy Needham, chief executive, Bradford Chamber of Commerce: "The event was useful in the sense that businesses got the opportunity to voice their fears, as highlighted in our recent survey.

"It was also useful to know that additional powers are likely to be included in the bill in July.

"Is the Government simply moving the goal posts, or responding to criticisms?

"We will have to go back to our members with more information when it becomes available, but I am not sure they will be convinced."

Denise Wilson, Federation of Small Businesses in Yorkshire: "I am not sure if this is going to be John Prescott's baby or his epitaph.

"The whole concern is that we still don't know enough and we don't want to take the decision when we don't know. We know that the region needs help in areas such as transport, but how much is it going to cost the taxpayer?

"I don't believe that by being devolved, we will have the same control as in Scotland and Wales."

Tim Ratcliffe, senior partner at Gordons Solicitors, Bradford: "I can't see what this institution would add to what we already have in Bradford and I can't see it as anything other than an extra layer of administration.

"Personally, I rather like the idea of an elected regional institution and think it would be a good objective for the region. But this proposal is half-baked and never offered that because of the limited spend it will have control over... I also remain to be convinced that there will be an industry vote in this."