Top Level Group

The Rt Hon Michael Ancram, QC DL MP

Conservative MP for Devizes

Member Shadow Cabinet 1997-2005:

Deputy Leader of the Opposition 2001-05;

Shadow Secretary of State for:  Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 2001-05, International Affairs 2003-05, Defence 2005

The Rt Hon James Arbuthnot MP

Conservative MP for North East Hampshire

Minister of State for Procurement, Ministry of Defence 1995-1997;

Opposition Chief Whip, 1997-2001;

Present Chair of the Defence Select Committee in Parliament

The Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP

Labour MP for Derby South

Shadow: Minister, Social Security 1984-89;

Deputy Leader, Labour Party and Opposition 1992-94;

Leader of Opposition May-July 1994;

Secretary of State for: Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Foreign Secretary) 2006-07;

Department for Communities and Local Government 08-09

Admiral the Lord Boyce GCB OBE DL

Crossbench Peer

Chief of the Defence Staff 2001-03;

European Union Sub-committee (Foreign Affairs, Defence and Development Policy): Member 2005-06, Co-opted member 2006-08

Rt Hon Des Browne MP (Convener of group)

Labour MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office 2001-03;

Secretary of State for: Defence 2006-08, Scotland 2007-08

Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to Sri Lanka 2009-

Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell, CBE QC MP

Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife

SLD Spokesperson for Defence, Sport 1988-89;

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for: Defence and Disarmament, Sport 1989-94, Foreign Affairs and Defence, Sport 1994-97, Foreign Affairs (Defence) 1997-99;

Principal Spokesperson for Defence and Foreign Affairs 1999-2001;

Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 2001-06

Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP

Labour MP for Norwich South

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment (School Standards) 1998-99;

Minister of State, Home Office 1999-2001;

Secretary of State for Education and Skills 2002-04;

Home Secretary 2004-06

General the Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank GCB LVO OBE

Crossbench Peer

Major General 2 Infantry Division 1986-87;

Lieutenant General 1 (BR) Corps 1987-91;

Commander-in-chief British Army of the Rhine 1992-94;

Ministry of Defence: Chief of the Defence Staff 1997-2001;

Non-executive director: NM Rothschild & Sons Ltd, Cult Defense (US)

Lord Howe of Aberavon

Conservative Peer

Chancellor of the Exchequer 1979-83;

Foreign Secretary 1983-89;

Lord President of the Council, Leader of the House of Commons and Deputy Prime Minister 1989-90

Rt Hon the Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE

Conservative Peer

Minister of State: Foreign and Commonwealth Office 1979-83, Home Office 1983-84;

Home Secretary 1985-89;

Foreign Secretary 1989-95;

Co-President, Royal Institute of International Affairs 2002-09

The Rt Hon Adam Ingram MP

Labour MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow

Opposition Spokesperson for: Social Security 1993-95, Science and Technology 1995-97;

Minister of State: Northern Ireland Office 1997-2001, Ministry of Defence (Armed Forces) 2001-07

Rt Hon the Lord King of Bridgwater CH

Conservative Peer

Secretary of State for: Environment January-June 1983, Employment 1983-85, Northern Ireland 1985-89, Defence 1989-92;

Chairman Intelligence and Security Committee 1994-2001;

Member: Review of the BBC Charter 2005-06, Communications 2007-