Chalker, Lynda (1942– )

British Conservative politician. After her appointment as minister of state for transport in 1983, she moved to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1986, and as minister for overseas development 1989–97 controlled the world's fifth biggest aid budget. Having earned much popularity in the developing world, she resigned from politics in 1997 to undertake independent development work in Africa. She became a life peer in 1992.

Educated at the universities of Heidelberg and London, and at the Central London Polytechnic, Chalker began a career in market research before entering parliament as MP for Wallasey in 1974, retaining her seat until 1992. During the Labour administration she was opposition spokesperson on social services 1976–79, and when the Conservatives took power, she initially held two under-secretary positions, for health and social security 1979–82 and transport 1982–83.