Baroness Taylor arrives at Ministry of Defence
7 Nov 07
The Right Honourable Baroness Ann Taylor of Bolton has been appointed Minister for Defence Equipment and Support today, Wednesday 7 November 2007.
Baroness Taylor of Bolton arrived at the Ministry of Defence on 7 November 2007 having been appointed Minister for Defence Equipment and Support
[Picture: Harland Quarrington]
Baroness Taylor succeeds Lord Drayson who is taking a break from politics to pursue his motor racing career in the United States.
Winifred Ann Taylor, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, was born on 2 July 1947 in Lancashire. She contested the Bolton West seat in the 1974 general election. As member for Bolton West between October 1974-83, she then contested the Bolton North East seat in the 1983 general election. She went on to become Labour Member for Dewsbury from 1987-2005. She was Parliamentary Private Secretary to Fred Mulley, who was Secretary of State for Education and Science 1975-76 and Secretary of State for Defence 1976-77.
Baroness Taylor was a Government Whip between 1977 and 1979, as well as being the Opposition Frontbench Spokesperson for a range of subjects including education and housing. She was Shadow Secretary of State for Education between 1992-1994, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster between 1994-1995, Shadow Leader of the House 1994-1997, President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons 1997-1998 and the Government Chief Whip 1998-2001.
On 13 May 2005 she was made a Life Peer and confirmed as Baroness Taylor of Bolton, Greater Manchester, on 13 June 2005. Speaking on her arrival at MOD today Baroness Taylor said:
"I am delighted to have been appointed as Minister for Defence Equipment & Support and I am very much looking forward to working with you all. I feel honoured to be working alongside what I regard as the most professional and dedicated Armed Forces in the world, and with civil servants who are doing an excellent job in supporting them.
"I arrive at a time when our Armed Forces are involved in demanding operations overseas and I will work hard to ensure that our first priority continues to be the best possible support to them. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can, both at home, and in operational theatres."
As Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Baroness Taylor is responsible for the Defence Equipment Programme through life, Defence logistics support, the Defence Industrial Strategy, Defence Science and Technology, Commercial policy throughout the Department, Defence exports, International aspects of defence equipment and support, and defence business in the House of Lords.