OPPOSITION FRONT BENCH SPOKESPERSONS 1996/97

                                                                                                                                       rev. 30.9.96

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION	Rt Hon Tony Blair MP*
DEPUTY LEADER (Shadow Deputy Prime Minister)	Rt Hon John Prescott MP*
LEADER OF THE HOUSE (OPPOSITION)	Ann Taylor MP*
CHIEF WHIP	Rt Hon Donald Dewar MP*

* * * * * * * * * *

AGRICULTURE see FOOD etc.

DEFENCE, DISARMAMENT AND ARMS CONTROL

David Clark MP* Shadow Secretary of State for Defence. Overall responsibility including relations with NATO, WEU etc.; disarmament and arms control, the defence industry and the Defence Diversification Agency.

John Reid MP Army. Size and shape of armed forces for all operational matters and commitments. European Defence Structures and Strategy. Emergingtechnology and new weapons systems. Nuclear weapons.

Paul Murphy MP Royal Navy. Royal Dockyards. Service personnel and logistic matters; forces pay, pensions, terms and conditions; administrative support of armed forces; equal opportunities. Developing Labour's response to the Bett Report.

John Spellar MP Air Force. Procurement budget; research and development: defence equipment including sales. Chemical and biological weapons.

DISABLED PEOPLE'S RIGHTS

Tom Clarke MP* Shadow Minister for Disabled Person's Rights. Overall responsibility. Civil Rights issues, employment and training, Care in the Community and carers.

Gordon McMaster MP Shadow Spokesperson for Disabled Persons' Rights. Deputy in all matters, concentrating on benefits and allowances, access to goods, services and transport.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Rt Hon Derek Foster MP* To support the Deputy Leader and shadow the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on Civil Service matters, the working of Government and the Citizen's Charter.

Richard Caborn MP Shadow Minister for National Competitiveness and Regulation. Responsibility for the policies of the Deputy Prime Minister's office: competitiveness, related regulatory issues and regional policy.

David Blunkett MP* Shadow Education and Employment Secretary.

Education

Bryan Davies MPShadow Minister for Further and Higher Education.

Peter Kilfoyle MPShadow Schools Minister. Special responsibility for the development of youth policy.

Estelle Morris MP Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Schools and Early Years). Responsible to David Blunkett for the development of policies for standards, effectiveness and opportunity throughout the schools system; development of early years policies.

Employment

Ian McCartney MP Shadow Employment Minister. Responsible to David Blunkett for all National Minimum Wage and Employment issues, including job creation measures and employment campaigns.

Stephen Byers MP Shadow Minister for Training and Employment. Responsible to David Blunkett for training initiatives; careers service; ACAS and industrial relations; employment and trade union rights; the Social Chapter and European Social Action Programme.

Peter Hain MP Working with Ian Mccartney (and, where appropriate, Stephen Byers) for policy development and campaigning work on job insecurity, job creation and related employment and training issues.

ENVIRONMENT & LONDON

Frank Dobson MP* Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment. Overall responsibility. Personal responsibility for water industry. Responsibility for co-ordinating campaigning, policy and publicity in London.

Hilary Armstrong MP Shadow Minister for Local Government. Responsibility for local and regional government, including finance, the Council Tax, reorganisation, de-regulation, competition, market testing and equal opportunities; Buying Agency, Security Facilities Executive, QE II Centre, Property Holdings and Property Services Agency services.

Nick Raynsford MP Shadow Minister for Housing. Responsibility for housing and construction. Building Research Establishment. Supporting Frank Dobson on London matters and special responsibility for the East Thames Corridor and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Keith Vaz MP Shadow Minister for Planning and Regeneration. Responsibility for planning and urban regeneration. Planning Inspectorate.

Graham Allen MP Shadow Minister for Health and Safety. Responsibility for the Health and Safety Executive.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Michael Meacher MP*Shadow Minister for Environmental Protection - overall responsibility.

Joan Ruddock MPDeputy in all matters.

FOOD, AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

Dr Gavin Strang MP* Shadow Minister for Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Covering food, agriculture, fisheries, forestry and countryside issues.

Elliot Morley MP Deputy to Gavin Strang. Animal welfare*, fisheries, forestry, rural development, environment, set-aside and alternative crops, agro-chemicals, research and development including genetically modified organisms, ADAS, animal health (welfare), State Veterinary Service, land use, flood defence.

Llin Golding MP Food and drink industries, food safety and regulations, agricultural commodities and marketing, horticulture, hill farming, Common Agricultural Policy, trade, animal health (production), plant health, seeds, labour, land tenure.

* deals with all animal welfare matters and co-ordinates animal welfare policy across all relevant departments.

FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Rt Hon Robin Cook MP* Shadow Foreign Secretary. Overall responsibility, with particular emphasis on European Union matters and relations with China and Hong Kong.

Joyce Quin MP Deputy. European Union; Central and Eastern Europe and North America; responsibility for issues of administration and consular services.

Tony Lloyd MP South and Central America; the South Atlantic and the Falkland Islands; the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa. Responsibility for economic relations; security (NATO), disarmament and arms control matters; policy on human rights and on United Nations and Commonwealth issues.

Derek Fatchett MP The Far East. Hong Kong and China; South East Asia; South Asia; Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific; the Middle East, the Near East and North Africa. Environmental issues.

HEALTH

Chris Smith MP* Shadow Secretary of State for Health. Overall responsibility.

Tessa Jowell MP Shadow Health Minister, (Deputy to Chris Smith). All aspects of the brief, plus special responsibility for dentistry and London.

Kevin Barron MP Shadow Minister for Public Health. Responsibility for public health, health promotion, ambulances, blood, information technology, the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacies, tobacco and the Private Finance Initiative.

Ann Coffey MP Shadow Health Minister. Responsibility for Community Care, mental health, social services, long term care, adoption, ancillary professions, and children's health.

HOME AFFAIRS

Jack Straw MP* Shadow Home Secretary. Overall responsibility; regional government; financing of political parties; monarchy; security and terrorism issues.

Alun Michael MP Deputy; Shadow Minister for the Voluntary Sector with responsibility for the Leader's review; leader on European issues. Police and crime prevention; criminal justice; probation and after-care; juvenile offenders; miscarriages of justice; voluntary sector; charities; coroners; life sentences; firearms; gay and lesbian issues.

Doug Henderson MP Immigration and nationality; passports; refugee settlement; extradition; community and race relations; data protection and privacy; constitutional issues; obscenity; local legislation and bye laws; electoral laws; summertime; animals.

George Howarth MP Prisons; fire service and emergency planning; drugs; green issues; deregulation and market testing; gambling; Sunday trading; liquor licensing; mentally disordered offenders.

LAW OFFICER

Rt Hon John Morris QC MP Overall responsibility.

LEADER of the HOUSE

Ann Taylor MP*Overall responsibility

Jeff Rooker MP Deputy in all matters.

Paul Boateng MPOverall responsibility.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

Rt Hon

Dr Jack Cunningham MP* Shadow Secretary of State for National Heritage. Overall responsibility and specific responsibility for the media, performing arts, the National Lottery, public expenditure and taxation, European Union and other international matters, and public appointments.

Mark Fisher MP All aspects of the Arts, museums and galleries, built heritage and libraries, arts aspects of the National Lottery.

Tom Pendry MP Sport, tourism and tourist industries, leisure, sport aspects of the National Lottery.

Lewis Moonie MP Broadcasting, press, information technology, and the National Lottery.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Marjorie Mowlam MP* Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with overall responsibility for the work of the Northern Ireland Office and of the Northern Ireland Departments, dealing with political and constitutional matters, security policy and operations; crime; broad economic questions; relations with the Irish community in Britain; women's issues; liaison with the Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Defence teams.

Tony Worthington MP Deputy; political development and community relations; security; education and training; the arts and the National Lottery.

Jim Dowd MP Finance and personnel, fair employment; environment; local government and quangos; health; social security; transport; tourism.

Eric Illsley MP Industry and economic development; training; energy; water industry; housing; agriculture and fisheries; sport; clubs and trade unions.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

Clare Short MP* Shadow Minister for Overseas Development.

George Foulkes MP Deputy in all matters.

SCOTLAND

George Robertson MP* Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland. Overall responsibility; Europe; constitution.

John McFall MP Industry and economic affairs; employment and training; home affairs; transport and roads; Highlands and Islands.

Malcolm Chisholm MP Local Government; housing; constitutional affairs; health and community care; sport; rural affairs.

Helen Liddell MP Education; social work; arts and heritage; tourism; (with John McFall) industry and economic affairs; agriculture; forestry; fishing; environment;machinery of government.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Harriet Harman MP* Shadow Secretary of State for Social Security. Responsible for all aspects of the brief.

Henry McLeish MP Shadow Social Security Minister. Deputy to Harriet Harman. Responsible for Housing Benefit; Income Support; Incapacity Benefit and other benefits for disabled people; Jobseeker's Allowance; Social Fund; Sickness Benefit.

John Denham MP Shadow Social Security Minister. Responsible for pensions, and the social security implications of long-term care.

Malcolm Wicks MP Shadow Social Security Minister. Responsible for family policy (Child Support Agency, Child Benefit, Maternity Benefit, etc).

TRADE & INDUSTRY

Rt Hon

Margaret Beckett MP* Shadow President of the Board of Trade and Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

John Battle MP Responsible for energy. Responsibilities include coal, electricity, nuclear power, renewable energy, oil and gas industries. Energy and environmental issues.

Stuart Bell MP Responsible for trade and corporate affairs. Trade policy, export support, Single Market, GATT, policy for financial services and the insurance industry, finance for industry issues, insolvency and company law, inward investment.

Nigel Griffiths MP Responsible for consumer affairs. Consumer safety, trading standards, weights and measures and the utilities.

Geoff Hoon MP Responsible for superhighway, communications and related issues.

Kim Howells MP Responsible for competition policy, regulation policy, Post Office, regional policy.

Adam Ingram MP Responsible for science and technology, innovation, research and development, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, engineering, aerospace, Patent Office, copyright.

Barbara Roche MP Responsible for small businesses and related issues.

TRANSPORT

Andrew Smith MP* Shadow Secretary of State for Transport. Overall responsibility.

Keith Bradley MP Deputy to Shadow Transport Secretary, with special responsibility for railways, national roads and the Highways Agency, aviation, and liaison on Europe.

Glenda Jackson MP Special responsibility for local transport in London in conjunction with Environment Team, buses, shipping, waterways, cycling, road safety and liaison on small business.

TREASURY & ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Rt Hon

Gordon Brown MP* Shadow Chancellor.

Dawn Primarolo MP Shadow Financial Secretary, with special responsibility for Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise duties and taxes including Value Added Tax; the environment; Stamp Duties; Betting Duties; privatisation; Treasury interest in women's issues; Parliamentary financial business; Actuary Department; Valuation Office.

Mike O'Brien MP Shadow Economic Secretary, with special responsibility for the financial services, including banks, building and friendly societies and other financial institutions; Corporate Tax; the CSO and Royal Mint; funding and responsibility for the Department of National Savings and the National Investment and Loans Office; international financial issues and institutions (including international debt); European Union issues including budget and future financing.

Alistair Darling MP Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, with special responsibility for the City; public expenditure planning including local authorities, nationalised industries, private finance initiative and public sector pay.

WALES

Ron Davies MP* Shadow Secretary of State for Wales. Overall responsibility for welsh matters.

Win Griffiths MP Education and training, including the Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales; local government; housing; financial and Revenue Support Grant matters;Programme for the Valleys; transport and roads; art and culture, including the Arts Council of Wales; the National Library of Wales and the National Museum of Wales; CADW, including the Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments; sport, including the Sports Council for Wales; women's issues; youth issues, including the Wales Youth Agency; urban affairs; land use planning; construction.

Rhodri Morgan MP Health, including Health Promotion Authority for Wales and Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting; community care; personal social services; Welsh Language, including Welsh Language Board; European Affairs; economic matters and enterprise; industrial policy; regional policy; Regional Selective Assistance (RSA); Cardiff Bay; small businesses; rural affairs; water and environmental protection; agriculture; fisheries; Countryside Council for Wales; National Parks; forestry; broadcasting.

WOMEN

Janet Anderson MP

ELECTION PLANNING: Shadow Ministers

Peter Mandelson MP

Brian Wilson MP

WHIP Responsibility

Rt Hon Donald Dewar MP* Chief Whip

Nick Brown MP Deputy Chief Whip

George Mudie MP Pairing and accomodation

Dennis Turner MP West Midlands; Defence

John Cummings MP Northern; Overseas Development

Joe Benton MP North West; National Heritage

Jon Owen Jones MP Wales; Transport

Eric Clarke MP Scotland

Bob Ainsworth MP Central; Treasury

Eric Martlew MP Agriculture; Leader of the House;

Duchy of Lancaster

David Clelland MP Social Security; Disabled Person's Rights

Jane Kennedy MP Home Affairs; Women; Legal Affairs

Greg Pope MP Foreign Affairs; Europe

Bridget Prentice MP London and Southern; Environment

Clive Betts MP Education and Employment

Kevin Hughes MP Yorkshire and Health

Angela Eagle MP Trade and Industry - Special Projects

Tommy McAvoy MP Scotland and Northern Ireland

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF OPPOSITION SPOKESPERSONS

Name Team

AINSWORTH, Bob Whip

ALLEN, Graham Environment/Health and Safety

ANDERSON, Janet Women

ARMSTRONG, Hilary Environment & London

BARRON, Kevin Health

BATTLE, John Trade & Industry

BECKETT, Margaret Trade & Industry

BELL, Stuart Trade & Industry

BENTON, Joe Whip

BETTS, Clive Whip

BLAIR, Tony Leader

BLUNKETT, David Education/Employment

BOATENG, Paul Lord Chancellor's

BRADLEY, Keith Transport

BROWN, Gordon Treasury and Economic Affairs

BROWN, Nick Deputy Chief Whip

BYERS, Stephen Education/Employment

CABORN,RichardDuchy of Lancaster

CHISHOLM, MalcolmScotland

CLARK, Dr David Defence

CLARKE, Eric Whip

CLARKE, Tom Disabled People's Rights

CLELLAND,DavidWhip

COFFEY,AnnHealth

COOK, Robin Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

CUMMINGS, John Whip

CUNNINGHAM, Dr Jack National Heritage

DARLING, Alistair Treasury and Economic Affairs

DAVIES, Bryan Education/Employment

DAVIES, Ron Wales

DENHAM,JohnSocial Security

DEWAR, Donald Chief Whip

DOBSON, Frank Environment and London

DOWD, Jim Northern Ireland

EAGLE, AngelaWhip

FATCHETT, Derek Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs

FISHER, Mark National Heritage

FOSTER, Derek Duchy of Lancaster

FOULKES, George Overseas Development

GOLDING, Llin Food, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

GRIFFITHS, Nigel Trade and Industry

GRIFFITHS, Win Wales

HAIN,PeterEducation/Employment

HARMAN, Harriet Social Security

HENDERSON, Doug Home Affairs

HOON, Geoff Trade & Industry

HOWARTH, George Home Affairs

HOWELLS, Kim Trade & Industry

HUGHES, KevinWhip

ILLSLEY, Eric Northern Ireland

INGRAM, Adam Trade & Industry

JACKSON, GlendaTransport

JONES, Jon Owen Whip

JOWELL, Tessa Health

KENNEDY,JaneWhip

KILFOYLE, Peter Education/Employment

LIDDELL, HelenScotland

LLOYD, Tony Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

McAVOY, TommyWhip

McCARTNEY, Ian Education/Employment

McFALL, John Scotland

McLEISH, Henry Social Security

OPPOSITION SPOKESPERSONS - continued

McMASTER, Gordon Disabled People's Rights

MANDELSON, Peter Election Planning

MARTLEW, Eric Whip

MEACHER, Michael Environmental Protection

MICHAEL, Alun Home Affairs

MILBURN, Alan Health

MOONIE, Lewis National Heritage

MORGAN, Rhodri Wales

MORLEY, Elliot Food, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

MORRIS, Estelle Education/Employment

MORRIS, Rt Hon John Law Officers

MOWLAM, Marjorie Northern Ireland

MUDIE, George Whip

MURPHY, Paul Defence

O'BRIEN,Mike Treasury and Economic Affairs

PENDRY, Tom National Heritage

POPE,Greg Whip

PRENTICE,BridgetWhip

PRESCOTT, John Deputy Leader

PRIMAROLO, Dawn Treasury and Economic Affairs

QUIN, Joyce Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

RAYNSFORD, Nick Environment and London

REID, Dr John Defence

ROBERTSON, George Scotland

ROCHE, Barbara Trade & Industry

ROOKER, Jeff Leader of the House

RUDDOCK, Joan Environmental Protection

SHORT, Clare Overseas Development

SMITH, Andrew Transport

SMITH, Chris Health

SPELLAR, John Defence

STRANG, Dr Gavin Food, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

STRAW, Jack Home Affairs

TAYLOR, Ann Leader of the House

TURNER, Dennis Whip

VAZ, Keith Environment & London

WICKS,Malcolm Social Security

WILSON, Brian Election Planning

WORTHINGTON, Tony Northern Ireland

rev 13.11.95

LeaderRt Hon Paddy Ashdown MP

Deputy Leader with overall responsibility for the general election manifesto and

the strategic role of the Parliamentary

teams

Rt Hon Alan Beith MP

Chief Whip & Shadow Leader of Archy Kirkwood MP

the House

Deputy Whip Simon Hughes MP

Lords

Chief WhipLord Harris of Greenwich

Leader in the LordsLord Jenkins of Hillhead

Deputy Baroness Seear

Others

Party PresidentRobert Maclennan MP

Chairman of Campaigns and Nick Harvey MP

Communications Committee

Chairman of General Election Lord Holme

Committee

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES

EDUCATION, HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Convenor Don Foster MP

Education & Employment Don Foster MP

Local Government David Rendel MP

Housing Diana Maddock MP

House of Lords Baroness Hamwee, Lord Tope

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Convenor Matthew Taylor MP

Deputy Convenor Malcolm Bruce MP

Environment Matthew Taylor MP

Agriculture & Rural Affairs Paul Tyler MP

Transport David Chidgey MP*

Energy, Fisheries and Maritime Jim Wallace MP

Transport

House of Lords Lord Ezra

FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

Convenor Menzies Campbell MP

Deputy Convenor Charles Kennedy MP

Foreign and Commonwealth and Defence Menzies Campbell MP

European Union Affairs Charles Kennedy MP

President of Liberal International Rt Hon Sir David Steel KBE MP

Central and Eastern Europe Sir Russell Johnston MP

Overseas Development Lord Redesdale

House of Lords Lord Thomson of Monifieth

HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE

Convenor Simon Hughes MP

Health & Urban Policy Simon Hughes MP

Social Security and Disability Liz Lynne MP

Community Care Archy Kirkwood MP

House of Lords Earl Russell

JUSTICE & HOME AFFAIRS

CovenorAlex Carlile MP

Justice, Home Affairs & Immigration Alex Carlile MP

Police, Prison & Security Matters Rt Hon Alan Beith MP

Women's Issues and Family Policy Diana Maddock MP

Northern Ireland Lord Holme

TREASURY & ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Convenor Malcolm Bruce MP

Deputy Convenor Matthew Taylor MP

Treasury & Economic Affairs Malcolm Bruce MP

Trade and Industry Nick Harvey MP

Science & Technology & Consumer Affairs Nigel Jones MP

House of Lords Baroness Seear

* David Chidgey MP, will also serve as a member of the Treasury & Economic Affairs Team

NATIONAL HERITAGE

Convenor Robert Maclennan MP

Arts, Broadcasting, Constitution, Civil Service,

Tourism Robert Maclennan MP

SportMenzies Campbell MP

House of Lords Lord Lester,

Lord Thomson of Monifieth

SCOTLAND

Convenor & Leader of Scottish

Liberal Democrats Jim Wallace MP

Deputy Convenor Ray Michie MP

House of Lords Lord Mackie of Benshie

WALES

Convenor & Leader of Welsh

Liberal Democrats Alex Carlile MP

House of Lords Lord Geraint

NameTeam

ASHDOWN, Paddy Leader

BEITH, Alan Deputy Leader, Justice and Home Affairs

BRUCE, Malcolm Treasury and Economic Affairs

CAMPBELL, Menzies Foreign Affairs, Defence and Sport

CARLILE, Alex Wales, Justice, Home Affairs and

Immigration

CHIDGEY, David Transport. Treasury and Economic Affairs

EZRA, Lord Environmental Affairs

FOSTER, Don Education and Employment

GERAINT, Lord Wales

HAMWEE, Baroness Education, Housing and Local

Government

HARRIS, Lord Chief Whip, Lords

HARVEY, NickTrade and Industry. Campaigns and

Communications Committee

HOLME, Lord Justice and Home Affairs (Northern

Ireland). General Election Committee

HUGHES, Simon Deputy Whip, Health and Urban Policy

JENKINS of Hillhead, Lord Leader, Lords

JOHNSTON, Sir Russell Foreign Affairs, Defence and Overseas

Development

JONES, Nigel Treasury and Economic Affairs

KENNEDY, Charles Foreign Affairs, Defence and Overseas Development

KIRKWOOD, Archy Chief Whip, Leader of the House, Health

and Social Welfare

LESTER, Lord National Heritage

LYNNE, Liz Health and Social Welfare

MACKIE of BENSHIE, Lord Scotland

MACLENNAN, Robert Party President, National Heritage

MADDOCK, Diana Education, Housing and Local

Government. Justice and Home Affairs

MICHIE, Ray Scotland

REDESDALE, Lord Foreign Affairs, Defence and Overseas

Development

RENDEL, David Education, Housing and Local

Government

RUSSELL, Earl Health and Social Welfare

SEEAR, Baroness Deputy Leader, Lords. Treasury and

Economic Affairs

STEEL, Sir David Foreign Affairs, Defence and Overseas Development

TAYLOR, Matthew Environmental Affairs. Treasury and

Economic Affairs

THOMSON of MONIFIETH, Lord Foreign Affairs, Defence and Overseas

Development. National Heritage

TOPE, Lord Education, Housing and Local

Government

TYLER, Paul Environmental Affairs

WALLACE, Jim Scotland