BUS APPEALS BODY

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld 1938-2008

The Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld was Chairman of the Bus Appeals Body from 2000 and we were very saddened to hear of his death on Wednesday October 8, 2008. He was 70 years old and had fought a very brave battle with cancer. Lord Hogg was widely respected in Parliament and he will be very much missed by all. He made a considerable contribution to the success of the Bus Appeals Body. Those who have served on the Bus Appeals Body found Lord Hogg to be a genial and very fair chairman, with a good understanding of bus passenger issues. He took a commonsense view of appeals, but insisted on a high standard of debate. The Independent’s assessment of Lord Hogg as ‘scrupulously fair and with a subtle sense of humour’ reflects to perfection his approach to chairing BAB.

As Norman Hogg he was the Labour MP for Dunbartonshire East, and then Cumbernauld & Kilsyth following boundary reform, from 1979 to 1997. He was Scottish Labour Whip in 1982/83 and became Labour Deputy Chief Whip from 1983 to 1987, after which he became Opposition Spokesperson for Scottish Affairs. He was made a Life Baron and became Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chair of Committees of the House of Lords.

Dr Caroline Cahm MBE, Life President of BUS USERS UK, said: ‘We are very sorry to hear about the death of Lord Hogg after a long illness. His conscientious concern for bus users in his role as Chairman of the Bus Appeals Body was very much appreciated by officers of BUS USERS UK. Our condolences to his family on their sad loss.’

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth.