the gradual loss of power to Europe. He was a member of The Freedom Association, which published his Manifesto for Sovereign Britain in 2004. He also objected to leasehold reform leading to the enfranchisement of leaseholders, and to family law reform. He strongly opposed reform of the House of Lords, to such an extent that he opposed the compromise that saw 92 hereditary peers retained in the reformed house. He refused to stand for one of the retained seats, and so was deprived of his seat after the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999. He supported many charities, particularly Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People for disabled people, of which he became a governor in 1978 and chairman in 1989, Rowton Houses, and The Henry Smith Charity. However, he argued against legislation to combat disability discrimination, believing that it was better to assist the disabled directly than impose obligations on businesses, since imposing those obligations would mean that the businesses were then unable to continue providing direct help. He served as High Sheriff of Surrey for 1995. and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey in 1993. Later life He inherited a passion for gardening from his father and had a notable garden at his home in Surrey. He was chairman of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (now Plant Heritage) from 1997 until his death. The database recording the 650 national plant collections run by the organisation was created under his chairmanship. He died of cancer. He was survived by his wife, and the eldest of his four sons, Gavin, succeeded to the title. References The Peerage (#84387) Obituary, The Times, 5 October 2006 Obituary , The Daily Telegraph, 6 November 2006 Obituary, The Guardian, 7 December 2006 1938 births 2006 deaths English people of Scottish descent People educated at Eton College People educated at Claremont Fan Court School 4 Deputy Lieutenants of Surrey High Sheriffs of Surrey Deaths from cancer in England Hamilton of Dalzell