Tim Kirkhope MP (Conservative) was elected to Parliament in 1987 for the constituency of Leeds North East. He was appointed Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State at the Home Office on 17 October 1995.

Mr Kirkhope was a full Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of the Treasury) from 1992 - 1995. Mr Kirkhope was Parliamentary Private Secretary to David Trippier, Minister of State for the Environment from 1989 to 1990. He was Government Scottish, Northern and Environmental Whip from 1990 to 1992 and was Whip for Yorkshire, Staffordshire and part of Derbyshire and for the Ministry of Defence and Department of National Heritage until 1995.

He was previously a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Statutory Instruments from 1987 to 1989, a member of the Standing Committees on the Housing Bill in November 1987, and the Social Security Bill in January 1989, the Environmental Protection Bill in January 1990 and the Court and Legal Services Bill in April 1990. Mr Kirkhope was a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Broadcasting 1994 - 1995.

He was Joint Secretary of the Backbench Environment Committee from 1988 to 1989, Joint Secretary of the All-Party British-Singapore Group from 1989 to 1990, Vice-Chairman of the Backbench Legal Committee 1988 to 1989 and Secretary of the All-Party Solicitor's Group 1988 to 1989.

Mr Kirkhope was a founder lawyer-member of the Mental Health Commission. He was also Northern Organiser for Peace Through NATO and a member of the Northern Regional Health Authority from 1981 to 1986.

Born in April 1945 Mr Kirkhope was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle and the Law Society's College of law in Guildford.

Before becoming an MP Timothy Kirkhope was a partner in a firm of solicitors from 1977 to 1987. He is married with four sons.

Mr Kirkhope's interest outside politics include swimming, tennis and flying (he has a private pilot's licence).

Timothy Kirkhope is the Minister in the Home Office with responsibility for the following subjects:

immigration, asylum, nationality, Refugee resettlement, United Kingdom Passport Agency, extradition, miscarriages of justice, race and community relations, deregulation, licensing, liquor licensing, gambling, Sunday trading.

Mr Kirkhope is also responsible for overseeing Home Office interest with regard to Small Businesses. He also supports Ministerial colleagues on Criminal Policy issues.