Janet Fookes, Baroness Fookes

The Right Honourable The Baroness Fookes DBE DL
Baroness Fookes, December 2011.
Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means
In office 27 April 1992 – 14 May 1997
Preceded by	Betty Boothroyd
Succeeded by	Michael Lord
Member of Parliament for Plymouth Drake Merton and Morden (1970-1974)
In office 18 June 1970 – 1 May 1997
Preceded by	Humphrey Atkins
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born	(1936-02-21) 21 February 1936
Nationality	British
Political party	Conservative

Janet Evelyn Fookes, Baroness Fookes, DBE, DL (born 21 February 1936), is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, she is a Life Peer in the House of Lords. She was previously a member of the House of Commons from 1970 from 1997, representing the constituencies of Merton and Morden (1970–74) and Plymouth Drake (1974–97). She was a Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons from 1992 to 1997.

Biography

Fookes was educated at Royal Holloway College, University of London. She worked as a teacher from 1958 to 1970. She served as a Councillor on Hastings Borough Council from 1960 to 1961 and 1963-70.

Fookes was elected a Member of Parliament (MP) representing Merton and Morden in 1970. When this constituency was abolished, she was elected MP for Plymouth Drake in 1974. Drake was never a safe seat, but Fookes managed to survive many strong challenges in each general election she fought, including winning by a majority of just 34 at the October 1974 general election. She served as one of three Deputy Speakers of the House of Commons from 1992 to 1997. She retired from the House of Commons in 1997.

Fookes served on the Council of the RSPCA 1975-92, and was its chair from 1979 to 1981. She was also a member of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (1987–97). She is an Ambassador for unemployment charity, Tomorrow's People Trust.

On 30 September 1997, she was made a Life Peer as Baroness Fookes, of Plymouth in the County of Devon. She had previously been made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 1989 New Year's Honours, and became Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex in 2001.

Her red hair makes her very noticeable in the House of Lords. She is a regular contributor to debates.

Fookes is unmarried.

Arms

Arms of Janet Fookes, Baroness Fookes

Coronet A Coronet of a Baroness Escutcheon Sable four Towers in cross their bases conjoined Argent between four Fuschias in saltire Stamens outwards Or Supporters On either side a Cat statant erect Sable gorged with a Naval Crown attached thereto a Chain reflexed over the back Or Motto Armaturam Dei Induite ("Put on the whole armour of God") Orders Order of the British Empire circlet (Appointed DBE 1989)

References

• Times Guide to the House of Commons editions 1970-1992

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Janet Fookes

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Humphrey Atkins	Member for Merton and Morden 1970–1974	Constituency abolished
New constituency	Member for Plymouth Drake 1974–1997