 The courtesy title Lord Dunglass did not carry with it membership of the House of Lords , and Dunglass was eligible to seek election to the House of Commons . Unlike many aristocratic families , the Douglas @-@ Homes had little history of political service . Uniquely in the family the 11th earl , Dunglass 's great @-@ grandfather , had held government office , as Under @-@ secretary at the Foreign Office in Wellington 's 1828 – 30 government . Dunglass 's father stood , reluctantly and unsuccessfully , for Parliament before succeeding to the earldom . 
