AMESS, David

Member for Southend West since 1997, for Basildon 1983-1997. Committees: Various All-Party Groups, including: ME, Holy See, Scouts, Maldives, Small Shops; Member, Chairmens Panel since 2001; Chair, Conservative Party Committee for Health since 1999; Honorary Secretary, Conservative Friends of Israel since 1998; President, 1912 Club since 1996; Member, Broadcasting Select Committee 1994-97; Vice-Chair, Housing Committee 1982-85. Political career: Parliamentary Private Secretary to Michael Portillo, Defence Department 1995-97, as Secretary of State for Employment 1994-95, at Treasury 1992-94, Department of the Environment 1990-92, the Department of Transport 1988-90; Councillor, Redbridge Council 1982-86. Special political interests: Health, education, transport, environment, Pro-Life Movement. Education: Bournemouth College of Technology, BSc Economics; St Bonaventures Grammar School. Affiliations: Freeman City of London, Vice-President, National Lotteries Group. Author of: The Basildon Experience (1995). Hobbies: Socialising, reading, writing, travel, keeping animals, gardening. b. 26 March 1952, Plaistow, London. Married with five children.