IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0097 WIGG
Held at: British Library of Political and Economic Science
Title: WIGG, George Edward Cecil (1900-1983), Baron Wigg, politician
Date(s): 1939-1983
Level of description: Collection
Extent: 195 boxes and 2 volumes
Name of creator(s): Wigg | George Edward Cecil | 1900-1983 | Baron Wigg | politician
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
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.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
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.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
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.
Conditions governing access:
Open
Conditions governing reproduction:
Most items can be photocopied, subject to handling and copyright restrictions. No material may be published without the prior permission of both the copyright holder and the Library. All applications for publication must be made to the Archivist in the first instance, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user.
Physical characteristics:
Finding aids:
Detailed catalogue available from Archives staff.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Deposited by the family.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related material:
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Sources: Copied from LSE Archives CALM database by Anna Towlson.
Date(s) of descriptions: Feb 2008