Frank Beswick, Baron Beswick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Beswick
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| Deputy Leader of the House of Lords | |
| In office February 1974 – December 1975 |
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| Prime Minister | Harold Wilson |
| Leader | The Lord Shepherd |
| Preceded by | The Lord Aberdare |
| Succeeded by | The Lord Goronwy-Roberts |
| Minister of State for Industry | |
| In office 11 March 1974 – 4 December 1975 |
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| Prime Minister | Harold Wilson |
| Preceded by | Eric Heffer |
| Succeeded by | Gerald Kaufman |
| Chief Whip of the House of Lords Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms |
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| In office 29 July 1967 – 24 June 1970 |
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| Prime Minister | Harold Wilson |
| Preceded by | The Lord Shepherd |
| Succeeded by | The Earl St Aldwyn |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs | |
| In office 11 October 1965 – 26 July 1967 |
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| Prime Minister | Harold Wilson |
| Preceded by | The Lord Taylor |
| Succeeded by | William Whitlock |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| In office 18 December 1964 – 17 August 1987 Life Peerage |
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| Member of Parliament for Uxbridge |
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| In office 5 July 1945 – 18 September 1959 |
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| Preceded by | John Llewellin |
| Succeeded by | Charles Curran |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Frank Beswick
21 August 1911 Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, England, UK |
| Died | 17 August 1987 (aged 75) |
| Political party | Labour Co-operative |
| Occupation | Politician |
Frank Beswick, also known as Baron Beswick, was an important British politician. He was a member of the Labour Co-operative party. He lived from August 21, 1911, to August 17, 1987.
Frank Beswick's Early Life and Career
Growing Up and Learning
Frank Beswick was born in 1911 in Nottingham, England. His father worked as a coal miner. Frank went to school in Nottingham. Later, he studied at the Working Men's College in London. This college helped working people get an education.
Starting as a Journalist
After his studies, Frank became a journalist. He wrote for newspapers and magazines. He also got involved in local politics. He was elected to the London County Council. This was a group that helped run London. He even visited Spain during the Spanish Civil War.
Serving in the Royal Air Force
Frank Beswick was already a trained pilot. When Second World War started, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He worked with Transport Command. This part of the air force moved supplies and people. He started as a Sergeant Pilot in 1942. He was promoted to Pilot Officer and then Flying Officer. By 1944, he was a Flight Lieutenant. He stayed in the RAFVR after the war. He left the service in 1952.
A Career in British Politics
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In 1945, Frank Beswick was elected to Parliament. He represented the area of Uxbridge. He served as a Member of Parliament until 1959. In 1946, he was one of the British observers. He watched the Bikini atomic tests. These were tests of atomic bombs.
Working in Civil Aviation
After the 1951 election, his party lost power. Frank then became a journalist again. He wrote about civil aviation for Reynolds News. Before that, he had worked as a Parliamentary Secretary. This role helped the Minister of Civil Aviation. When he lost his seat in Parliament in 1959, he took a new job. He became the political secretary for the London Co-operative Society.
Joining the House of Lords
On December 18, 1964, Frank Beswick was given a special title. He became Baron Beswick. This meant he joined the House of Lords. The House of Lords is part of the UK Parliament. Members are called "Lords" or "Peers."
Important Roles in Government
From 1965, he served as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State. This was in the Commonwealth Office. In 1967, he became the Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords. A Chief Whip makes sure party members vote together. He continued this role when his party was not in power.
In 1974, he was appointed Minister of State for Industry. He also became the Deputy Leader of the House of Lords. He held these important jobs until 1975.
Leading British Aerospace
After his government roles, Frank Beswick became the first Chairman of British Aerospace. This was a big company. It made aircraft and spacecraft. In 1975, he also signed an important agreement. This agreement helped create the European Space Agency. This agency works on space projects.
A Historic Moment in the Lords
In 1985, Frank Beswick made history. He opened the first ever televised debate in the House of Lords. This meant people could watch the debates on TV.
