Richard Page - Parliamentary Career

Parliamentary Career

Page won the seat of South West Hertfordshire in a by-election in 1979, having previously been MP for Workington from the by-election caused by the elevation of Fred Peart to the House of Lords in 1976 until losing the seat in the 1979 general election. One of a handful of MPs who have been successful in two by-elections.He had contested the Workington seat in the February and October 1974 elections. Private Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State for Trade 81−83 and then to the Leader of the House (John Biffen) 83−87. He was a junior minister DTI under with responsibility for small business, alternative energy, biotechnology, coal, oil and BNFL. Lead minister in the privatisation of AEA Technology. Used his knowledge of the private members ballot procedure to be successful with two private members bills from the single private members ballot slot. Moved a 10 minute rule bill to reduce the number of MP.s claiming it could allow MPs to be better paid and save the state money. Member of the Public Accounts Committee for over seven years. Governor of the Foundation for Western Democracy 1998−2001. International Chairman Central Office 1999−2001. Shadow Spokesman DTI 2001−2003. Joint Chairman All Party Racing and Bloodstock Committee 1998−2005. Chairman Parliamentary Scientific Committee 2003−2005. He stepped down from the House of Commons at the United Kingdom 2005 General Election due to his wife's ill health. One of 13 Conservative MPs who spoke against and voted against decision to invade Iraq (18 March 2003) and the way the re-construction progressed.