Peter was first elected as MP for Worcester in 1992 and then for the new Mid Worcestershire seat in 1997. He lives in the county with his wife, Julia. They have two grown-up children.

In May 2010 he was appointed Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology. To learn about the Ministry of Defence, please visit www.mod.uk.

Julia is Peter's secretary, working from his office in the county and from the House of Commons. She is always available on this local number: 01905 763952. She also makes appointments for his regular advice surgeries in Evesham and Droitwich Spa.

He was educated at Windsor Grammar School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he read Economics. He worked from 1977 to 1980 for Peter, now Lord, Walker who was then MP for Worcester. He then went on to be head of private office to the former Prime Minister, the late Sir Edward Heath in the early 1980s. After this he became a successful businessman in the corporate communications industry. He has also been company secretary of his family's retail stationery firm.

In 1997, Peter was appointed chairman of the Commons Agriculture Committee. In 2000, he joined the frontbench as an Opposition Whip. He served as Assistant Chief Whip from 2002 to 2005. Since the 2005 election, Peter has been Chairman of the influential Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and its predecessors (the Trade & Industry and subsequently Business & Enterprise Committees).

Peter's interests - politics and family apart - include photography and theatre. He is a vice president of the Severn Valley Railway, Evesham Rowing Club, the Worcester Birmingham Canal Society and the Droitwich Canals Trust and is actively involved with many other local charities and organisations. He is patron of the county ME support group and was chairman of the Worcester Cathedral Council for six years.He takes a close interest in many international issues and particularly in India. His hero is Isambard Kingdom Brunel.