Neil Carmichael, Baron Carmichael of Kelvingrove

Neil George Carmichael, Baron Carmichael of Kelvingrove (10 October 1921 – 19 July 2001) was a British politician. He was a Labour Member of Parliament (MP) in Glasgow from 1962 to 1983.

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)^[1]), 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^[2]

For the 1983 general election his constituency was abolished and merged with Glasgow Hillhead which had been won in a by-election by Roy Jenkins for the SDP. The two incumbent MPs fought each other, with Jenkins winning.

House of Lords

Shortly afterwards, Carmichael was awarded a Life peerage as Baron Carmichael of Kelvingrove, of Camlachie in the District of Glasgow. During his time in the Lords he became Labour's spokesman on transport and Scotland.

Ministerial posts^[1]

• Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Transport (1967–1969)
• Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Technology (1969–1970)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Environment (1974–1975)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Industry (1975–1976)

References

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Neil Carmichael
• Guardian obituary
• Telegraph obituary
• BBC News Article - Ex-Labour Minister Carmichael dies
• Neil Carmichael MP on www.theyworkforyou.com