WIDDECOMBE, Ann Rt Hon

Member for Maidstone and the Weald since 1987. Committees: Member, Home Affairs Select Committee 2002-03; Member, Health and Social Services Select Committee 1988-90; Member, Standards and Privileges Committee; Member, All-Party Disablement Group; Member, Conservative Defence Committee; Member, Standing Committees on Immigration Bill, Abortion (Amendment) Bill, Finance Bill; Member NHS and Community Care Bill Standing Committee. Political career: Shadow Home Secretary 1999-2001; Shadow Health Secretary 1998-99; Minister of State, Home Office 1995-97; Minister of State, Employment 1994-95; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Employment 1993-94; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security 1990-93; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Tristan Garel-Jones 1990; Vice-Chair, Women and Families for Defence 1983-85; Parliamentary Candidate for Burnley 1979 and Plymouth, Devonport 1983. Special political interests: Abortion, prisons, defence, education. Title/Honours/Decorations: PC 1997. Education: University of Birmingham, BA (Hons); Oxford University, BA (Hons). Author of: The Clematis Tree; An Act of Treachery; Father Figure, An Act of Peace. Hobbies: Writing, walking, King Charles II-s escape. b. 4 October 1947, Bath. Single.