The Rt Hon Michael Jack MP

Chairman of the House of Commons Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Select Committee

Michael was born in 1946 and is married, with two children. He was educated at Bradford Grammar School, Bradford Technical College, and Leicester University, and holds a BA (Economics) degree and a MPhil in Transport Economics.

Michael was elected for Fylde at the 1987 General Election. He fought Newcastle upon Tyne Central in February 1974, and during the 1979 General Election was personal assistant to James Prior (now Lord Prior). In 1983 he acted as PA to Sir Ian Perceval.

Until he entered Parliament, Michael was the Sales Director of a leading company in the food industry. He also worked in a management capacity at Proctor & Gamble and Marks & Spencer, where he was PA to the then Sir Derek Rayner. He has also been a member of the Eastern Area Electricity Consultative Council and of the Mersey Regional Health Authority.

During his political career, he has held numerous posts in the Young Conservatives and in constituency associations, and was National Chairman of the Young Conservatives in 1976. Vice Chairman North West CPC prior to entering Parliament.

He has been the Secretary of the Conservative Back bench Transport Committee, Chairman of its Back Bench Horticulture Committee and was Secretary of the Conservative North West Members Group. He was also Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt Hon John Gummer MP, first as Local Government Minister and subsequently as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

From November 1990 until April 1992, Michael was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Social Security and from April 1992 until May 1993 he was Minister of State at the Home Office. He was Minister of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from May 1993 until July 1995. From July 1995 to April 1997, Michael was Financial Secretary to HM Treasury.

From May 1997 until November 1997, he was Shadow Health Minister, after which he became Shadow Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, a position he held until August 1998.

He has served on the House of Commons DEFRA Select Committee, the 1922 Executive Party Committee, and on the House of Commons Information Committee. He currently serves as Chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.