Rt Hon James Arbuthnot

James has been the MP for North East Hampshire since 1997 and Chairman of the Defence Committee since the 2005 General Election.

Previously, James was Minister of State for Defence Procurement (1995-97) and then when the Conservatives went into opposition he became Opposition Chief Whip (1997-2001) during William Hague's time as Leader of the Opposition.

James first entered Parliament in 1987, following a career as a barrister, his initial Ministerial role was as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Archie Hamilton MP, Minister for the Armed Forces; he then became a Government Whip (1992-94), followed by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Social Security (1994-95).

After his time as Opposition Chief Whip James became a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee (2001-05) and served as Shadow Secretary of State for Trade (2003-05). He has been Chairman of the Conservative Friends of Israel since 2005.

James was born in 1952 and was educated at Eton, where he was captain of the school, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he achieved an honours degree in law. He is married to Emma. They have four children: Alexander, Katherine, Eleanor and Alice.

A barrister, he was called to the Bar in 1975 and practised until 1992 in trusts, wills and tax law. His interests include his family, music, computers and skiing. His ambition is to breed Irish Wolfhounds.