Profile

Crossbench Peer

Entered the House of Lords in 1996

Previously MP for Welwyn and Hatfield until 7 April 1979 — General election

Entered the House of Commons on 10 October 1974 — General election

Party was Labour until 3 Jul 2006; Non-affiliated until 31 Aug 2011

Also represented Welwyn and Hatfield

• Early Day Motions signed by this MP

Other offices held in the past

• Member, Procedure and Privileges Committee (27 Nov 2006 to 5 Sep 2011)
• Member, House Committee (Lords) (23 Nov 2006 to 5 Sep 2011)
• Lord Speaker ( 4 Jul 2006 to 9 May 2011)
• Member, Constitution Committee ( 1 Dec 2004 to 8 Nov 2006)
• Member, Committee on the Assisted Dying for the terminally ill Bill (30 Nov 2004 to 7 Apr 2005)
• Member, Liaison Committee (Lords) ( 3 Dec 2003 to 8 Nov 2006)
• Minister of State (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) (29 Jul 1999 to 9 Jun 2001)
• Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (28 Jul 1999 to 8 Jun 2001)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Health (28 Jul 1998 to 28 Jul 1999)
• Minister (Department of Health) (28 Jul 1998 to 29 Jul 1999)
• Minister of State (Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions) ( 6 May 1997 to 28 Jul 1998)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Roads), Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions ( 5 May 1997 to 28 Jul 1998)