About Oona - Political Biography

PARLIAMENTARY CAREER Member for Bethnal Green and Bow since May 1, 1997 PPS to: Stephen Timms as Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry 2002-03, Patricia Hewitt as Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry 2003-current.

POSTS HELD Member Fabian Society; Joint Vice-Chair London Regional Group of Labour MPs 1997-; Chair All-Party Great Lakes Region and Genocide Prevention Group 2001-; Secretary All-Party Africa Group 2003-; Treasurer All-Party Friends of Islam Group 2003-.

SELECT COMMITTEES Member: International Development 1997-2001, Transport, Local Government and the Regions 2001-02, Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Urban Affairs Sub-Committee) 2001-02.

BACKBENCH COMMITTEES Member, Labour Party Departmental Committees for: Education and Employment 1997-99, Home Affairs 1997-2001.

SPECIAL INTERESTS Race Relations, Employment, Education, Health, Development, Equal Opportunities, Housing, European Affairs, Electoral Reform, Poverty and Anti-Social Behaviour.

COUNTRIES OF INTEREST Bangladesh, France, Great Lakes Region (Africa), Israel, Italy, Nicaragua, Palestine, Rwanda, South Africa and USA.