Member for Coatbridge and Chryston since 1997. Committees: Chair, All-Party Iraqi Kurdistan Group since 2002; Secretary, All-Party Angola Group 2002; former Chairperson, Parliamentary Labour Party Foreign, Commonwealth and European Committee. Political career: Minister of State, (Film and Tourism), Department of National Heritage/for Culture, Media and Sport 1997-98; Shadow Cabinet Minister for Disabled People's Rights 1995-97; Shadow Secretary of State for International Development 1993-94, for Scotland 1992-93; Principal Opposition Spokesperson for Development and Co-operation 1993-94; Shadow Minister for UK Personal Social Services 1987-92; Member for Monklands West 1983-97, and for Coatbridge and Airdrie by-election 1982-83; President, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities 1978-80; Provost of Monklands 1974-82; Councillor, Monklands District Council 1974-82, and Coatbridge Town Council 1964-74. Special political interests: Film industry, foreign affairs, civil service, local and regional government, central America, Philippines, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, USA, Peru, South Africa, Indonesia, Scotland. Profession/Trade: Film executive. Title/Honours/Decorations: Fellow, Industry and Parliamentary Trust; CBE 1980; JP 1972. Education: Columbia High School, Coatbridge; Scottish College of Commerce. Publications Director of: award winning amateur film, Give us a Goal. Affiliations: Member, GMB; Assistant Director, Scottish Council for Educational Technology. Hobbies: Films, walking, reading, astrology, member of Coatbridge Municipal Golf Club.
b. 10 January 1941, Coatbridge. Single.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	24,725	64.5	-	19,807	65.3
SNP	5,206	13.6	-	4,493	14.8
Lib Dem	4,605	12.0	-	2,293	7.6
Conservative	2,775	7.2	-	2,171	7.2
Scot Soc	1,033	2.7	-	1,547	5.1
Majority	19,519	50.9	-	15,314	50.5
Turnout	38,344	56.9	-	30,311	58.1