Norma Major honoured for fundraising

Norma Major: Held operas at Chequers to raise money for charity

Norma Major, wife of former prime minister John Major, has been awarded a DBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Norma Major was honoured for her work for charities on behalf of children and the disabled, especially for Mencap, and for her public services generally.

Dame Norma has raised, along with a small group of friends, about £6m for Mencap over the last few years,

'Unexpected honour'

She said she was thrilled to receive the honour: "It is a huge and totally unexpected honour."

The money was raised partly by holding full-dress country-house operas at Chequers and other events at Downing Street on behalf of Mencap and other charities including Childline.

Dame Norma held receptions and entertainments at Downing Street with some of the funds raised going towards providing respite homes in her husband's Huntingdon constituency.

There was a deliberate policy when Mr Major was prime minister, not to publicise the fundraising efforts.

Mr Major said: "I am very proud of her and all that she has done over recent years."

Mr Major was honoured earlier this year when he became a Companion of Honour for establishing the vital groundwork which led to the Good Friday Agreement.

Privy councillors

Alan Haselhurst: Deputy speaker

Three MPs were made privy councillors in the honours list.

They are Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Ways and Means Sir Alan Haselhurst and senior Labour backbenchers Barry Jones and Giles Radice.

Mr Haselhurst, the Tory MP for Saffron Walden, has held the position of deputy speaker since 1997.

He is well liked at Westminster and has served on several committees including European legislation and transport.

Mr Jones began his political life as MP for Flint East, north Wales, in 1970 and served as parliamentary secretary in the Welsh Office during the last Labour government, from 1974-79.

Giles Radice: A privy councillor

He has also been parliamentary private secretary to Lord Healey and to the late George Thomas.

Mr Jones became MP for Alyn and Deeside in 1983 and he held a variety of posts when Labour was in opposition.

Mr Radice, MP for Durham North, was also among Labour's frontbench team in opposition.

He has been a member of the Treasury Committee for more than 10 years.

Governor of the Bank of England Eddie George was also made a privy councillor.