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From: "Peter_McCrae" <>
Subject: DOUGLAS; James Douglas --d;3/8/2006>UK
Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2006 16:59:24 +0100


James Douglas


(Filed: 11/08/2006)
The Telegraph.co.uk



James Douglas, who has died aged 80, was a senior civil servant before
becoming director-general of the Country Landowners' Association; during his
20-year leadership of the CLA he steered it to the forefront of the farmers'
political lobby.

James Murray Douglas was born on September 26 1925 in India, the son of a
banker. He was brought up in Scotland by his grandmother and an uncle, and
educated at Morrison's Academy, Crieff, and at Aberdeen University, where he
took a degree in Economics, History and English. In 1944 he joined the RAF,
serving as a navigator until 1947.

On demobilisation he won a scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, where he
took a First in Modern History.

In 1950 he joined the Civil Service. Douglas occupied a number of
administrative posts through the 1950s before joining the Treasury in 1960.

Four years later he became assistant secretary at the Ministry of Housing
and Local Government, and in 1966 was selected to serve as secretary to the
Royal Commission on Local Government. This reported in 1969, proposing a
network of what it called "unitary authorities".

But the commission's main thrust was rejected by the incoming Conservative
government in 1970, and the reorganisation of local government in 1973
ushered in the two-tier system that, by and large, still survives today.

Having completed his work with the commission, Douglas applied for the job
as head of the Country Landowners' Association, now the Country Land and
Business Association. His background in local government ideally suited him
for the post, and he was appointed in July 1970 with the title of
director-general. With his clear, incisive mind and ability to motivate both
the members and staff, Douglas brought to the post all the skills and
qualities of a permanent secretary.

The beginning of Douglas's tenure coincided with Britain's repeated attempts
to join the European Economic Community (now the European Union), and
farming issues were very much to the fore.

Hitherto, the National Farmers' Union had been regarded as the pre-eminent
group lobbying on behalf of British agricultural interests; Douglas
succeeded in raising the profile of the CLA so that it came to rank
alongside the NFU as a potent political force. He was appointed CBE in 1985.

On Douglas's retirement in 1990, Sir Geoffrey Howe, then deputy prime
minister, spoke appreciatively of his services. In retirement Douglas wrote
numerous articles on countryside issues, and enjoyed playing golf.

James Douglas, who died on August 3, was characteristically modest about his
professional and academic attainments; he was good with people, and much
respected as a result.

In 1949, in Lausanne, he met Julie Friedericke Kemmner, and they married the
following year. His wife survives him, together with their son, Michael
Douglas, QC, and their daughter Kathleen, formerly a solicitor and now a
teacher in north London.




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