On 24 January 2008, Caroline Flint was
appointed to the post of
Minister for Housing, attending Cabinet.
Previously, as Minister for Public
Health (May 2005-June 2007), Caroline was responsible
for taking the Health Act 2006 through Parliament. This
Act made England smokefree from 1 July 2007, ending
smoking in enclosed public places.
In May 2005, Caroline became Parliamentary
Under Secretary of State for Public Health; becoming
Minister of State in May 2006.
Before working at the Department of
Health, Caroline was Parliamentary Under Secretary of
State at the Home office (June 2003 to May 2005) responsible
for reducing organised and international crime; anti-drugs
co-ordination and international and European issues.
As a Home Office Minister, Caroline was able to take
the following legislation through their parliamentary
stages:
The
Drugs Act (2005)
Caroline also oversaw the regional launches of the
Government's Drug Intervention Programme, including
Doncaster, which moves addicts committing crimes into
treatment.
Previously she was Parliamentary Private Secretary
to the Rt Hon Dr John Reid, in his capacity as Leader
of the House, Minister without Portfolio and Labour
Party Chair (2002-3). Before that appointment, Caroline
was Parliamentary Private Secretary from (1999-2002)
to Rt Hon Peter Hain in his capacity as Minister of
State at the DTI and FCO respectively. Between 1997
and 1999, Caroline served on the House of Commons
Education & Employment Committee.
Her particular policy interests are family policy,
crime and anti-social behaviour, foreign affairs,
education and welfare to work.
