The Rt Hon Sir Robert Atkins, MEP

Career: MP (Cons): Preston N 1979-1983, South Ribble 1983-97; former jt sec Cons Parly Def Ctee and vice-chm Aviation Ctee, nat pres Cons Trade Unionists 1984-87; PPS to: Norman Lamont as Min of State for Industry 1982-84, Lord Young of Graffham as Min Without Portfolio and Sec of State for Employment 1984-87; Parly under sec of state DTI 1987-89, min for roads and traffic Dept of Tport 1989-90, Parly under sec of state Dept of the Environment and min for sport 1990, Parly under sec of state Dept of Educn and Science and min for sport 1990-92, min of state Northern Ireland Office 1992-94, min of state Dept of Environment 1994-95; MEP (Cons) NW England 1999-, dep ldr Br Cons MEPs 2004-08, chief whip 2008-10