BOLTON members of the Labour Party enjoyed the chance to question a high-profile Government minister when Peter Mandelson paid a flying visit to Westhoughton.

The Secretary for Northern Ireland took part in an hour's question and answer session with 170 members of the Party at Carnegie Hall before travelling to Preston to help out in canvassing at the by-election.

Mr Mandelson, who told the BEN he had visited Westhoughton before when he was a guest at a wedding, was keen to pass on his thanks to the people of Bolton for supporting the Government.

He said: "The reason I'm pleased to be back here is that I want to say a big thank you to the people of Bolton who voted Labour and voted for change in 1997.

"I am the first to admit that there is still a lot to do for families and communities in Bolton.

"But we have made a good start for future economic growth and got past the years of Tory boom and bust.

"I'm not letting out any secrets, but it may be an election year next year and there is still hard work to be done in improving hospitals, schools and transport.

"I know many people in the North West find life a struggle and that neighbourhoods experience problems with crime and yobbery."

Mr Mandelson sympathised with the recent resignation of the Chief Executive of Railtrack, Gerald Corbett, and said: "He was in the firing line in a top job and of course I feel sympathy for him.

"But if the heat gets too much, there is only one way to go.

"He did have a tough job because of the huge under-investment in the railway network under the Tories.

"But we will triple investment in the future of the railway system which will be the biggest revival since Victorian times

"A good quality transport system is certainly a big priority for our second term of Government."

The Labour Minister was also keen to sing the praises of the Regional Development Agency which will help to improve economic development in areas like the North West.

"We need to encourage support for new businesses and traditional businesses. "Training measures must be improved and help offered to those made redundant.

"The Regional Development Agency will make sure economic development continues across the whole of the country and not just in the south," he said. Mr Mandelson admitted to being a worrier in his post as Northern Ireland Secretary.

"I'm quite an anxious fellow and do worry a lot about the future of Northern Ireland because it is one long negotiation.

"But for the first time in history every shade of political party has come into talks together which is a huge step forward in the peace process."

"I can't disguise the fact it is not an easy job, but it is a privilege and of course it means dealing with life and death every day," he said.