Member for Saffron Walden since 1977 by-election. Committees: Member, Transport Select Committee 1992-97; Hon Secretary, All-Party Parliamentary Cricket Group 1993; Member, Catering Select Committee 1992-97; Vice-Chair, Conservative Education Committee 1983; Member, European Legislation Committee 1982-97; Chair, Conservative Aviation Committee 1985-87. Political career: Chair, Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker since 1997; Parliamentary Private Secretary of State for Education 1979-81; PPS to Home Secretary 1973-74; MP for Middleton and Prestwich 1970-74; Chair, Young Conservatives National Advisory Committee 1966-68; Chair, Eastern Area Young Conservatives 1964-66. Special political interests: Transport, education, agriculture. Profession/Trade: Former executive in the chemical and plastics industry; former government affairs consultant. Title/Honours/Decorations: Privy Counsellor 1999; Knight Bachelor 1995. Education: King Edward's School, Birmingham; Cheltenham College; Oriel College, Oxford. Author of: Eventually Cricket (2001); Occasionally Cricket (1999). Hobbies: Writing, watching cricket, theatre.
b. 23 June 1937, South Elmsall, Yorkshire. Married with three children.