Constable of the Tower of London

Questions

Asked by

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock
To ask Her Majesty's Government who advises the Prime Minister prior to him making a recommendation to HM The Queen on the appointment of the Constable of the Tower of London. [HL953]

To ask Her Majesty's Government who has served as Constable of the Tower of London since 1979; and what have been their qualifications for appointment to the post. [HL954]

The Minister for International Defence and Security (Baroness Taylor of Bolton)
The Secretary of State for Defence makes the recommendation to the Prime Minister after seeking advice from the current service Chiefs of Staff.

Since 1784 and in accordance with Queen's Regulations for the Army, the ceremonial office of Constable of the Tower of London has been conferred on a retired senior military officer. Since 1979, the following former Chiefs of the Defence Staff and/or Chiefs of the General Staff have been appointed as constables.

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|                                                      |From       |To       |
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|Field Marshal Sir Geoffrey Baker GCB, CMG, CBE, MC    |1975       |May 1980 |
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|General Sir Peter Hunt GCB, DSO, OBE                  |June 1980  |July 1985|
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|Field Marshal Sir Roland Gibbs GCB, CBE, DSO, MC, KStJ|August 1985|July 1990|
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|Field Marshal Sir John Stanier GCB, MBE               |August 1990|July 1996|
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|The Rt Hon Field Marshal The Lord Inge KG, GCB, PC, DL|August 1996|July 2001|
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|General Sir Roger Wheeler GCB, CBE, ADC               |August 2001|July 2009|
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|General Sir Richard Dannatt GCB, CBE, MC              |August 2009|To date  |
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