Career

Conservative MP for the City of Chester (since 2010). Member of the Science and Technology Committee and is a committee member of several All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG) including the Parliament & Scientific Committee, the Nuclear Energy APPG, the Zoos and Aquariums APPG, African Great Lakes APPG, and is co-chair of Parliamentary Internet Communications and Technology Forum.

Issues

Promoted IT in primary schools. [1] and is concerned about the budget for ICT. [2]

Budget

Noted that the government “could take several steps to speed growth and increase the economic potential of ICT businesses. Universally accepted was the need to create a spirit of technological innovation, starting from a young age, in which both the opportunities and threats of digital life are well understood.” [3]

“To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department has taken on adopting the recommendations of the Parliamentary Internet and Communications Technology Forum to (a) increase Government investment in broadband, (b) increase Government investment in cutting-edge, innovative ICT education in schools, (c) train and retain highly-skilled ICT students and professionals and (d) develop a strategy to encourage take-up of ICT by small and medium-sized enterprises to encourage their own growth; and if he will make a statement.” [4]

“The Chancellor’s speech gave extremely encouraging signs that investment in information and communications technology is set to continue, but more needs to be done if we are to harness our real potential to make our country a global leader in the digital economy. We have a world-class base from which to grow further, but we require proactive engagement from the Government if we are to speed up growth and increase the economic potential of ICT businesses. We must be much more vigorous in promoting the industry to stimulate wider and sustained economic growth.” [5]

Child Safety

“One of the concerns raised when the Home Secretary announced the launch of the NCA in the summer was about the future of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. Is my right hon. Friend confident that CEOP’s role in protecting children will be enhanced and improved by its inclusion in the NCA?” [6]

Communications Data Bill

Is on the joint select committee.

Discussed and received a petition from #chester residents about Government's Communications Data Bill this morning^[1]

Prior Career

Worked for IBM before setting up his own IT consultancy in 1997. Chester City Councillor 2000-9.

Education

Chemistry at the University of Nottingham.

Other

Supported Early Day Motion congratulating Royal Academy of Engineering on its 35th anniversary. [7] Science fiction fan. Aims to bring a “proper theatre” to Chester. [8]