BYERS, Stephen Rt Hon

Member for Tyneside North since 1997. Committees: Member, Home Affairs Select Committee 1993-94; Chair, Parliamentary Labour Party Home Affairs Committee 1992-94. Political career: Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 2001-02; Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 1998-2001; Chief Secretary to the Treasury 1988; Minister, Ministry for Education and Employment 1997-99; Shadow Minister for Training and Employment 1996-97; Shadow Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Education and Employment 1995-96; Opposition Whip 1994-95; Member for Wallsend 1992; Member, North Tyneside Council 1980-92; Deputy Leader 1985-92; Chair, Association of Metropolitan Authorities Education Committee 1990-92; Leader, Council of Local Education Authorities 1990-92; Parliamentary Candidate for Hexham 1983. Special political interests: Education, home affairs, local and regional government, trade, industry, employment. Profession/Trade: Senior lecturer in law. Education: Chester College of Further Education; Liverpool Polytechnic, LLB. Affiliations: Member, UNISON; Fellow, Royal Society of Arts. Hobbies: Travel, cinema, reading, fell-walking. b. 13 April 1953, Wolverhampton.