Viscount Falkland Peer

Address:
House of Lords
London
SW1A 0PW

BIOGRAPHY

I was born in London in 1935, educated at Wellington College, and after army service in the 8th Kings Irish Hussars entered publishing.  Following a period in journalism and working in a London Theatrical Agency I joined an international company based in London.  I initially served with their shipping company and ultimately as chief executive of their trading conglomerate with world-wide interests including retailing, fine chemicals and leather.

I succeeded my father in 1984 as 15th Viscount Falkland and Lord Cary, Premier Viscount of Scotland on the Roll.  My family, whose name is Cary, traces back to the 11th century visitations in Devon.  The Scottish title was bestowed by James VI of Scotland in 1620.  The early holders were the first recorded Scottish peers to sit as members of the English Parliament.

My first issues in 1984 having joined the SDP benches were involved with overseas development and I was a member of the 1984-5 House of Lords Select Committee on Overseas trade.  I took a vigorous stance in opposition to the infamous Clause 28 in the 1988 Local Government Bill on behalf of the Campaign for the Arts.  The potential damage to the arts was largely removed by work behind the scenes although the clause itself as incorporated remains objectionable to Liberal Democrats among many others. 

From 1995 until 2004 I was the Liberal Democrat spokesperson in the House of Lords for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.  I served as Deputy Chief Whip from 1988 to 2001.

I am a Deputy President of the All Party Arts and Heritage Group, Deputy Chairman of the London Arts Group, Deputy Chairman of the All Party Group on Alcohol Abuse and Secretary of the All Party Motorcycle Group.

Following the 1999 Lords Reform Act I was elected by the whole House to remain as one of the 15 office holders.

My outside interests are motorcycling, cinema, reading, racing and golf.