BECKETT, Margaret Rt Hon

Member for Derby South since 1983 and Member for Lincoln 1974-79. Political career: Minister of State (Housing) Department for Communities and local Government since October 2008; Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 2006-07; Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2001-06; President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons 1998-2001; President of the Board of Trade, 1997-98; Shadow President of the Board of Trade 1995-97; Shadow Secretary of State for Health 1994-95; appointed to the Privy Council 1993; Member of the National Executive Committee 1988-97, 1985-86, 1980-81; Leader of the Opposition May 1994-July 1994; Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and Campaign Co-ordinator 1992-94; Deputy Leader of the Opposition 1992-94; Shadow Chief Secretary 1989-92; Frontbench responsibility for Social Security 1984-89; Minister, Department of Education 1976-79; Assistant Government Whip 1975-76; Parliamentary Private Secretary, Minister of Overseas Development 1974-75; Political Advisor, Minister of Overseas Development 1974; Researcher, Labour Party Headquarters 1970-74. Special political interests: Industry. Profession/Trade: Principal Researcher, Granada Television 1979-83; Experimental Officer, University of Manchester; Engineering Apprentice (Metallurgy) AEI, Manchester. Education: Notre Dame High School, Manchester and Norwich; Student Apprentice in Metallurgy AEI (Manchester) Ltd; Manchester College of Science and Technology; John Dalton Polytechnic. Affiliations: Member Transport and General Workers Union; T&GWU Parliamentary Labour Party Group; National Union of Journalists; BECTU, Fabian Society; Anti-Apartheid Movement; Socialist Education Committee; Derby Co-op Party; Socialist Environment and Resources Association; Amnesty International; Council of St George-s College Windsor 1976-82; Honorary President of Labour Friends of India. Author of: various documents including Vision for Growth - A New Industrial Strategy for Britain (1996); Renewing the NHS (1995). Hobbies: Cooking, reading, caravanning. b. 15 January 1943, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. Married with two stepchildren.