SPELMAN, Rt Hon Caroline

Member for Meriden (revised boundary) since 6 May 2010, for Meriden 1997-2010. Committees: Vice-Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty 1998-2001; Member, Science and Technology Select Committee 1997-98. Political career: Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs since 2010; Conservative Party Chairman 2007-09; Shadow Secretary of State for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister/Department for Communities and Local Government 2005-07; Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment 2003-04; Shadow Minister for Women 2001-04; Shadow Secretary of State for Internal Development 2001-03; Opposition Health Spokesperson 1999-2001; Opposition Whip 1998-99; Parliamentary Candidate for Bassetlaw 1992. Special political interests: Debt relief, overseas aid, foreign affairs, agriculture, health. Profession/Trade: Agricultural consultant. Education: Herts and Essex Girls Grammar School; Queen Mary College, University of London, BA (Hons) First Class, European Studies. Languages spoken: French, German. Author of: The Non-Food Uses of Agricultural Raw Materials (1997). Hobbies: Tennis, skiing. b. 4 May 1958, Bishops Stortford. Married with three children.