Archie Hamilton, Baron Hamilton of Epsom

For other people named Archibald Hamilton, see Archibald Hamilton (disambiguation).

The Right Honourable The Lord Hamilton of Epsom PC
Minister of State for the Armed Forces
In office 25 July 1988 – 27 May 1993
Prime Minister	Margaret Thatcher John Major
Preceded by	Ian Stewart
Succeeded by	Jeremy Hanley
Member of Parliament for Epsom and Ewell
In office 27 April 1978 – 7 June 2001
Preceded by	Peter Rawlinson
Succeeded by	Chris Grayling
Personal details
Born	(1941-12-30) 30 December 1941
Nationality	British
Political party	Conservative

Archibald Gavin Hamilton, Baron Hamilton of Epsom, PC (born 30 December 1941) is a British Conservative Party politician.

Background and education

Chapel of Eton College

Hamilton is the second son of the 3rd Baron Hamilton of Dalzell and younger brother of the 4th Baron Hamilton of Dalzell. He was born at Beckington Castle, Beckington, Somerset, which was then his parents' country house. He was educated at Eton College.

Political career

Conservative Councillor in Kensington and Chelsea 1968-71

Twice stood for election in the Labour stronghold of Dagenham in the General Elections held in :- 1974

In a by-election, won the seat for Epsom and Ewell 1978. He held the seat until retirement from Parliament 2001

During his Parliamentary career he served in the following posts:-

Parliamentary Private Sec. (PPS) to the Sec. of State for:-

Energy 1979-81

Transport 1981-82

Asst. Con. Whip 1982-84

Lord Commissioner to HM Treasury 1984-86

Parliamentary Under-Sec. of State MOD 1986-87

PPS to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher 1987-88

Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Armed Forces Minister) 1988-93

Created Privy Councillor 1991

Chair 1922 Committee. 1997-2001

Other highlights:-

Created:- Knight Bachelor 1994

Baron Hamilton of Epsom (Life Baron) 2005

Committees:-

Standards and Privileges Committee (re Ethics of Lords and Commons). 1996

Intelligence and Security Committee. 1994-97

Joint Committee for the National Security Strategy. 2015–present (2016).

Hamilton initially stood, unsuccessfully, for Dagenham in the February and October 1974 elections, but was defeated by Labour's veteran incumbent, John Parker.

He was Knighted in 1994. On 13 May 2005 it was announced that he would be created a life peer, and the peerage was gazetted on 17 June 2005 as Baron Hamilton of Epsom, of West Anstey in the County of Devon.

Personal life

Hamilton is a bridge player. He is a member of the Lords bridge team and the All Party Parliamentary Bridge Group.

m. 1968 Anne Catherine Napier (born 1940), dau. of late Cdr Trevylyan Michael Napier DSC, RN. (1901-30th Aug.1940) & Poet and author Priscilla Hayter (1908–98) who produced books about Napier ancestors, poetry and an autobiography, “A Late Beginner”, still in print. Anne is an accomplished sculptor and painter.

They have three daughters.

2016. He currently sits in the House of Lords and is a trustee of the National Army Museum.

References

• Official parliament.uk biography

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Archie Hamilton

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Peter Rawlinson	Member of Parliament for Epsom and Ewell 1978–2001	Succeeded by Chris Grayling
Political offices
Preceded by Marcus Fox	Chairman of the 1922 Committee 1997–2001	Succeeded by Michael Spicer