Background
He was born in Quetta, British India (now in Pakistan), the son of Major General James Alexander Campbell and was educated at Wellington College before joining the Royal Artillery in 1939.
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Gordon Thomas
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Education
Wellington College.
Career
Invalided out in 1947 with the honorary rank of major, he served the Foreign Office in New York and Vienna until 1957. He served as a Government Whip, 1961-1962. Lord Commissioner of the Treasury and Scottish Whip, 1962-1963.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, 1963-1964.
He was Secretary of State for Scotland during the whole of Edward Heath"s government. During his term in office the issues of fishing and oil led to him losing his Moray coastal seat to the Scottish National Party. Government papers released under the 30 year rule reveal an attitude that may explain that loss.
Papers from 1970 revealed how the Scottish Office was prepared to have a "weaker and less efficient national fleet" to enable the United Kingdom to sign up to the controversial Common Fisheries Policy. On oil in 1972 Campbell was against any move to pump oil revenues directly into the Scottish economy despite Heath asking government departments to explore such an arrangements to help revive Scotland"s economy with "its own resources".
Further papers from 1974 revealed how he proposed "exceptional measures" to force Shetland Islands Council to accept an oil terminal without financial benefit to the islands.
After leaving the Commons, he was made a life peer as Baron Campbell of Croy, of Croy in the County of Nairn in 1975. He became Chairman of the Scottish Board in 1976, and was Vice President of the Advisory Committee on Pollution at Sea from 1976 to 1984.
Achievements
Membership
42nd United Kingdom Parliament. 43rd United Kingdom Parliament. 44th United Kingdom Parliament.
45th United Kingdom Parliament]
Elected to parliament in 1959, he served as Member of Parliament for the constituency of Moray and Nairn until February 1974 when he was defeated by Winnie Ewing of the Scottish National Party.
He was Opposition Spokesman on Defence, 1967-1968 and a member of the Shadow Cabinet, 1969-1970.
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Born
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Died
April 26, 2005 (aged 83) -
Political Party
Conservative Party