Profile

Conservative Peer

Entered the House of Lords on 10 March 2011

Previously MP for Penrith and The Border until 12 April 2010 — did not stand for re-election

Entered the House of Commons on 28 July 1983 — unknown

Also represented Penrith and The Border

• Personal website
• Wikipedia page
• BBC News profile

Expenses

• Expenses from 2004 to 2009

Topics of interest

• Environment Food and Rural Affairs
• Home Department
• Health
• Trade and Industry
• Treasury
• Foot and Mouth
• Ministerial Duties
• Departmental Events
• Absence
• Farming

Currently held offices

• Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (since 1 Sep 2024)
• Member, Public Services Committee (since 31 Jan 2023)

Other offices held in the past

• Member, Liaison Committee (Lords) (19 Jan 2022 to 30 Jan 2025)
• Chair, Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee ( 7 Sep 2017 to 19 Jan 2022)
• Chair, Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee ( 7 Sep 2017 to 19 Jan 2022)
• Member, Draft Communications Data Bill (Joint Committee) (28 Jun 2012 to 28 Nov 2012)
• Member, Draft Communications Data Bill (Joint Committee) (28 Jun 2012 to 28 Nov 2012)
• Member, EU Sub Committee F - Home Affairs, Health and Education (17 May 2012 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Member, Procedure and Privileges Committee (16 May 2012 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Member, EU Sub-Committee F - Home Affairs (29 Mar 2011 to 16 May 2012)
• Member, Members Estimate Committee ( 4 Jun 2008 to 11 May 2010)
• Member, Members Estimates Committee (20 Mar 2007 to 4 Jun 2008)
• Member, Liaison Committee ( 3 Aug 2006 to 11 May 2010)
• Chairman, Statutory Instruments (Select Committee) ( 3 Aug 2006 to 11 May 2010)
• Chairman, Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) (26 Jul 2006 to 11 May 2010)
• Member, Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) (14 Jun 2006 to 26 Jul 2006)
• Member, Liaison Committee (Commons) (14 Jun 2006 to 6 May 2010)
• Chair, Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) (14 Jun 2006 to 6 May 2010)
• Chair, Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) (14 Jun 2006 to 6 May 2010)
• Chair, Statutory Instruments (Select Committee) (14 Jun 2006 to 6 May 2010)
• Chair, Statutory Instruments (Select Committee) (14 Jun 2006 to 6 May 2010)
• Member, Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) (12 Jun 2006 to 14 Jun 2006)
• Member, Statutory Instruments (Select Committee) (12 Jun 2006 to 14 Jun 2006)
• Opposition Chief Whip, Whips (17 Mar 2005 to 6 Dec 2005)
• Chief Whip, Parliament (10 May 2004 to 17 Mar 2005)
• Chief Whip, Whips (10 May 2004 to 17 Mar 2005)
• Member, Members Estimate Committee (29 Jan 2004 to 6 May 2010)
• Opposition Chief Whip (Commons) (18 Sep 2001 to 10 May 2005)
• Shadow Chief Whip (Commons) (18 Sep 2001 to 10 May 2005)
• Minister of State (Home Office) (27 May 1993 to 1 May 1997)
• Minister (Department of Environment) (Environment and Countryside) (14 Apr 1992 to 26 May 1993)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) (26 Jun 1989 to 15 Apr 1992)
• The Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury (27 Jul 1988 to 24 Jul 1989)
• Assistant Whip (HM Treasury) (18 Jun 1987 to 25 Jul 1988)
• Member, Agriculture Committee ( 6 Dec 1985 to 15 May 1987)

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Climate Change Bill Committee (9 out of 10)
• Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Offender Management Bill Committee (5 out of 7)
• Commons Bill Committee (4 out of 4)

Recent appearances

• Written Answers — Department for Transport: Penrith (North Lakes) Station: Parking 11 Feb 2025

  To ask His Majesty's Government whether their franchise agreement with Avanti West Coast Trains contains conditions on the maintenance and repair of potholes in the car park at Penrith North Lakes railway station.

• Written Answers — Department for Transport: Euston Station: Taxis 11 Feb 2025

  To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to cover the route to the new taxi rank point from Euston railway station.

• Written Answers — Women and Equalities: Gender 11 Feb 2025

  To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to amending existing definitions relating to sex and gender with a view to adopting definitions similar to those set out in US Executive Order 14166, entitled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government", issued on 20 January.

More of Lord Blencathra’s recent appearances