David Tredinnick, MP for Bosworth, has been elected by other Conservative MPs to serve on the influential Commons Health Select Committee.

David Tredinnick said: “The Health Select Committee will be one of the most important in this Parliament because of the changes proposed by the Coalition and the fact that the Health budget is ring-fenced”.

He continued: “I hope the committee will look at commissioning of health services, costs and choice for patients.   That I was elected, as a well known campaigner for integrated healthcare including herbal medicine, acupuncture and homeopathy, shows that new Members in Parliament support this approach”.

“I also welcome the Rt. Hon. Stephen Dorrell MP’s election as Chairman.  Leicestershire will have a very strong voice on this committee”.

For the first time, MPs are voting to elect MPs on Select Committees.   Each political party votes for candidates for the number of spaces allocated to that party with the exception of the Chairman who is elected in a ballot of all MPs.   In the past, Members were appointed by Party Whips.