OATEN, Mark

Member for Winchester since 1997. Committees: Vice-chair, All-Party Learning and Skills in the Criminal Justice System Group since 2005; Chair, LD Peel Group since 2002; Vice- Chair, All-Party Mobile Communications Group since 2001; Secretary, All-Party Parliamentary Reform Group since 2001; Treasurer, All-Party European Union Enlargement Goup since 2001; Member, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs and Defence Teams 1999-2001; Treasurer, All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group since 2000; Co-Chair, All-Party Group on Adoption since 2000; Secretary, European Union Accession Group since 2000; Spokesman for Disabilities 1997-99; Chair, All-Party Groups on Far Eastern Prisoners of War; Secretary, All-Party EU Accession Group; Co-Founder, Liberal Future; Board Member, European Movement. Political career: LD Shadow Home Secretary 2003-06; Treasurer, Parliamentary Wine Club 2002-03; LD Parliamentary Party Chair since 2001-03; Spokesperson for Europe 2000-01; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Charles Kennedy as Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party 1999-2001; Member, Foreign Affairs and Defence Team 1999-2001; Spokesperson, Social Security and Welfare (Disabled People) 1997-99; Elected as MP for Winchester in by-election following the two-vote victory, 1997; Councillor, Watford Borough Council 1986-94. Special political interests: Healthcare, South East funding, prison reform, education, Europe, asylum issues, human rights. Profession/Trade: Managing Director, Westminster Public Relations 1996; Director, Oasis Radio (Hertfordshire) 1995; Group Director, Westminster Communications 1992-96; Consultant Shandwick Public Affairs 1988-92. Education: Queen-s Comprehensive School, Watford; Hatfield Polytechnic, BA History, Diploma in International Public Relations. Hobbies: Gardening, swimming, running, Watford Football Club. b. 8 March 1964. Married with two children.