Barristers lead the way as 35 returned to the Commons

English and Welsh barristers outnumber solicitors in the new Parliament, with 35 returned last week including two newcomers.But barrister David Lock, former parliamentary secretary at the Lord Chancellor's Department, suffered a huge defeat in Wyre Forest.Mr Lock's 6,946 majority in 1997 dissolved as Dr Richard Taylor, chairman of the campaign against the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital, beat him by 17,630 votes.There are 18 Labour barristers, 15 Tories and one each from the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru.

The newcomers are Henry Bellingham, who gained Norfolk North West for the Conservatives with a 5% swing from Labour, and Vera Baird, vice-chairman of the Society of Labour Lawyers, who took over the safe seat of Redcar from Mo Mowlam.Neil Rose