Arthur Palmer (politician)

Arthur Montague Frank Palmer (4 August 1912 – 14 August 1994) was a British Labour Co-operative politician.

Early life

Palmer was born in Northam, Devon and educated at Ashford County Grammar School and Acton Technical College. He became a chartered electrical engineer and joined the head office staff of the Electrical Power Engineers' Association, editing the Electrical Power Engineer magazine. During World War II and the London Blitz he was an engineer at Battersea Power Station. He served as a councillor on Brentford and Chiswick Borough Council 1937-1945 and later as a conservator of Wimbledon and Putney Commons.

Parliamentary career

Palmer was elected Member of Parliament for Wimbledon in 1945, becoming the first Labour MP for the constituency. He lost in Merton and Morden in 1950 and 1951, but re-entered Parliament, representing Cleveland from a 1952 by-election to 1959, Bristol Central from 1964February 1974, and Bristol North East from February 1974 to 1983.

Palmer was Chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee from 1965 to 1968, and Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology from 1966 to 1970 and 1974 to 1979.

Family

In 1939, Palmer married Marion Woollaston with whom he had two daughters, Professor Sarah Palmer (born 1943) and Julia King (born 1945).

References

  • Times Guide to the House of Commons, 1951, 1966 & 1979
  • Tam Dalyell (26 August 1994). "Obituary: Arthur Palmer". The Independent. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
  • Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
John Power
Member of Parliament for Wimbledon
19451950
Succeeded by
Cyril Black
Preceded by
Octavius George Willey
Member of Parliament for Cleveland
19521959
Succeeded by
Wilfred Proudfoot
Preceded by
Stan Awbery
Member of Parliament for Bristol Central
1964Feb 1974
Constituency abolished
Preceded by
Robert Adley
Member of Parliament for Bristol North East
Feb 19741983
Constituency abolished
Trade union offices
Preceded by
Laurence Welsh
President of the National Federation of Professional Workers
19641966
Succeeded by
John Dryden


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