In the previos parliamentary session, Nigel was a very active member of parliament and is involved with select committees, parliamentary organisations and parliamentary interest groups, the details of which can be found below.
Select Committees
International Trade Select Committee - Established in 2016, this committee oversees the operations of the Department for International Trade and its associated public bodies, and seeks to ensure that the actions of the department promote the UK's trade and prosperity after the UK withdraws from the EU single market.
International Development Select Committee - The remit of the committee is to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Department for International Development and its associated public bodies, and scrutinise whether the UK's aid budget is spent in an efficient and productive way.
Panel of Chairs
Nigel was a member of the Panel of Chairs, who are members of the House of Commons responsible for chairing public bill committees and other General Committees, as well as debates in Westminster Hall.
Parliamentary Organisations
British Group Inter-Parliamentary Union - Nigel was on the Executive Committee of the BGIPU, an organisation which seeks to promote and consolidate Britain's interests abroad and engage parliamentarians in key global issues, and advance the role that parliamentarians can play in international affairs.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch - Nigel was on the executive committee of the CPA, an organisation with a specific focus on parliamentary diplomacy and democracy strengthening activities between commonwealth countries.
Council Of Europe - Nigel is a member of the Council of Europe, and has responsibilities such as being the rapporteur on Turkey, which included observing the recent referendum in the country.
All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG's)
Taiwan APPG (Chair) - The British Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group was founded in 1976 and has since become one of the largest parliamentary groups of its kind. Its purpose is to facilitate the bilateral relations of the United Kingdom and Taiwan, which includes the promotion of trade, mutual understanding and cultural associations between the two countries.
China APPG (Vice Chair) - The APPG for China was established in 1997 to widen the parliamentary contribution to the UK-China bilateral relationship. Its mission is to ensure parliamentarians are kept well informed on China, and to act as a platform for discussions on all issues of importance to the UK-China relationship.
Space APPG (President) - The parliamentary space committee was created to raise awareness in Parliament of the importance and opportunities of space based capabilities to the UK economy, policy making, society and the space community; to highlight and promote the benefits from the UK's investment in space and its leading role within the global space economy.
Beer APPG (President) - The purpose of the Beer APPG is to promote the wholesomeness and enjoyment of beer and the unique role of the pub in UK society; to increase understanding of the social, cultural and historic role of brewing and pubs in the UK and their value to tourism; to broaden recognition of the contribution of brewing and pubs to employment and to the UK's economy; to promote understanding of the social responsibility exercised by the brewing and pub industries; to support the UK's brewing industry worldwide.
Brexpats APPG (Co-Chair) - Representing in Parliament the 1.2 million expats in continental Europe and the 3m continental European citizens living in the UK to address their concerns during and post Brexit around issues such as: healthcare, pensions, property, education, telecommunications, travel, legal matters, dual nationality relationships and other areas where they will be affected on Britain exiting the European Union.
Other APPG's - Nigel was a member of several more APPG's, including Leasehold Reform, Air Ambulances, Child and Youth Crime, Film Industry, Music, Tourism Leisure and Hospitality, Morocco and the APPG for Latin America