Neil Carmichael, Baron Carmichael of Kelvingrove
Neil George Carmichael, Baron Carmichael of Kelvingrove (10 October 1921 – 19 July 2001)[1] was a Scottish politician. He was a Labour Member of Parliament (MP) in Glasgow from 1962 to 1983.
The Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Neil George Carmichael 10 October 1921 |
| Died | 19 July 2001 (aged 79) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Labour |
| Alma mater | Royal College of Science and Technology |
| Occupation | engineer and a councillor on Glasgow Town Council |
Early life
Carmichael was the son of James Carmichael MP and the grandson of George Carmichael, a founder member of the Independent Labour Party (ILP). He was educated at Eastbank Academy, in Shettleston, and the Royal College of Science and Technology, Glasgow. In the Second World War he was a conscientious objector. He was an engineer and a councillor on Glasgow Town Council.
Parliamentary career
Carmichael was elected as MP for Glasgow Woodside at a by-election in November 1962 (maiden speech 17 December 1962 (669 c930-4)[2]), and held the seat until the constituency was abolished at the February 1974 election, when he was elected for Glasgow Kelvingrove. He served in Harold Wilson's governments in various positions including Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Parliamentary Secretary for Technology and later Under Secretary for Environment.
In 1980 he introduced a private member's bill to make seatbelts compulsory, but it was "talked out" during the report stage[3]
For the 1983 general election his constituency was abolished and merged with Glasgow Hillhead which had been won in a by-election by the former Labour Deputy Leader Roy Jenkins for the SDP. The two incumbent MPs fought each other, with Jenkins, now the SDP's leader, winning by 1,164 votes.[4]
Ministerial posts
He held the following ministerial posts during his time in the House of Commons:[2]
- Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Transport (1967–1969)
- Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Technology (1969–1970)
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of the Environment (1974–1975)
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Industry (1975–1976)
House of Lords
Carmichael was created a Life peer as Baron Carmichael of Kelvingrove, of Camlachie in the District of the City of Glasgow on 10 October 1983.[5] During his time in the House of Lords he became Labour's spokesman on transport and Scotland.
Death
Carmichael died following a stroke after a long illness, according to Lord Graham of Edmonton.[6]
Personal life
He was married to Kay Carmichael, a Scottish political activist; from 1948 until they divorced in 1987.[6] Together they had one daughter.[7]
References
- Roth, Andrew (21 July 2001). "Obituary: Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- House of Commons Library document 24, Members of Parliament 1979–2010
- "Seatbelt History | How Belting up Became Law | RoSPA History | the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents". Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
- The Times Guide to the House of Commons June 1983. London: Times Books Ltd. 1983. p. 119. ISBN 0-7230-0255-X.
- "No. 49506". The London Gazette. 13 October 1983. p. 13411.
- "Ex-Labour minister Carmichael dies". BBC News. 20 July 2001. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- "Carmichael of Kelvingrove, Baron, (Neil George Carmichael)". Who Was Who. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U10195. ISBN 978-0-19-954089-1. Retrieved 14 April 2019.