WIGG, George Edward Cecil (1900-1983), Baron Wigg, politician

The papers consist mainly of correspondence and memoranda relating to the political positions held by Lord Wigg, 1939-1983, and has been divided into the following sections:
1. Early life and personal papers;
2. Early Political Career, 1945-1951;
3. Labour Party Opposition, 1951-1964;
4. Paymaster General, 1964-1967;
5. Later Political Career, 1967-1983;
6. General Elections, 1945-1966;
7. Constituency Papers, 1945-1966;
8. Horserace Betting Levy Board, 1964-1972.
A further 80 boxes of papers relating to the Horserace Betting Levy Board remain closed and unlisted.

George Wigg was born in 1900 and after an early career in the Army entered Parliament as Labour MP for Dudley in 1945. He served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Emanuel Shinwell between 1945 and 1951 and on the election of Harold Wilson's first government in 1964 was appointed Paymaster General with a special interest in defence and security. Wigg retained the post of Paymaster General until 1967 when he was elevated to the House of Lords as Baron Wigg of the Borough of Dudley. Throughout his career, Wigg maintained a close interest in defence, security, African and Middle Eastern politics. Lord Wigg had a lifelong interest in horseracing reflected in his involvement in the organisation of the sport. Career Chronology: born 1900; served in the regular army, 1919-1937 and Royal Army Education Corps, 1940-1946; MP for Dudley, 1945-1967; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Emanuel Shinwell, MP as Minister of Fuel and Power, Secretary of State for War and Minister of Defence, 1945-1951; Opposition Whip, 1951-1954; Member of the Racecourse Betting Control Board, 1957-1961; Member of the Totalisator Board, 1961-1964; Paymaster General, 1964-1967; Chairman, Horserace Betting Levy Board, 1967-1972; President, Betting Office Licensees Association, 1973-1983. Throughout his career Wigg maintained a close interest in defence and security issues.

The archive has been arranged in chronological order. Lord Wigg's practice of maintaining files over many years means that some files will contain material which belong strictly to more than one section.

Open

Deposited by the family.

Detailed catalogue available from Archives staff.

Sources: Copied from LSE Archives CALM database by Anna Towlson.

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