Pike, Mervyn (1918–2004)

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Pike, Mervyn (1918–2004)

English politician. Name variations: Baroness Pike of Melton. Born Irene Mervyn Parnicott Pike, Sept 16, 1918, in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England; died Jan 11, 2004; dau. of I.S. Pike (chair of a family pottery company); attended Hunmanby Hall and Reading University; never married.

Known as a Tory with a social conscience, served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (1941–46); was managing director of the family pottery firm, Clokie and Co. (1946–59); became the Yorkshire representative on the Conservative Party's national executive; served as MP for Melton (1956–74), stressing the needs of widows, deserted mothers and the elderly; was assistant postmaster general (1959–63); served as chair of the Women's Royal Voluntary Reserve (WRVS, 1974–81); appointed chair of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (1981); named a life peeress (1974). Appointed DBE (1981).