BUS USERS UK is saddened to hear of the death on Wednesday of Lord Hogg, chairman of the Bus Appeals Body.

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld was 70 and had fought a brave battle with cancer, a battle which he appeared to be winning until only a few weeks ago.

As Norman Hogg he was the Labour MP for Dunbartonshire East, and then Cumbernauld & Kilsyth following boundary reform, from 1979 to 1997. He was Scottish Labour Whip in 1982/83 and became Labour Deputy Chief Whip from 1983 to 1987, after which he became Opposition Spokesperson for Scottish Affairs. He was made a Life Baron and became Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chair of Committees of the House of Lords.

Lord Hogg had been chairman of the Bus Appeals Body, the independent body set up to review bus passenger complaints by BUS USERS UK and the Confederation for Passenger Transport (CPT), since 2000.

Those who have served on the Bus Appeals Body found Lord Hogg to be a genial and very fair chairman, with a good understanding of bus passenger issues. He took a commonsense view of appeals, but insisted on a high standard of debate. The Independent’s assessment of Lord Hogg as ‘scrupulously fair and with a subtle sense of humour’ reflects to perfection his approach to chairing BAB.

Dr Caroline Cahm MBE, Life President of BUS USERS UK, said: ‘We are very sorry to hear about the death of Lord Hogg after a long illness. His conscientious concern for bus users in his role as Chairman of the Bus Appeals Body was very much appreciated by officers of BUS USERS UK. Our condolences to his family on their sad loss.’