 He was twice Chancellor of the Primrose League, from 1975 to 1979 and from 1981 to 1984.He was also a spokesman on the environment for the government of Edward Heath from 1970 to 1974, and on transport, the environment, and the arts for the government of Margaret Thatcher from 1979 to 1980.He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1982.