A FORMER captain of Scottish industry, Mr Thomas Rae Craig, died

peacefully at his home in Rhu, Dunbartonshire, yesterday. He was 88.

Mr Craig, familiarly known as ''T. R.'', was formerly British Steel

Corporation Director with special responsibilities for Scotland. He had

also been a president of the Iron and Steel Institute.

Born in the steel town of Motherwell, steel ran strong in the Craig

family heritage. His father, John, joined Colvilles Ltd as an office

boy, rose to become chairman of the company, and was knighted for his

services to the Scottish industry.

Educated at Hamilton Academy, Glasgow Academy and the Lycee Malherbe

in Caen, Mr Craig then began a career in the steel industry that spanned

nearly half a century. He started work in the Colvilles offices and,

like his father, became its chairman.

After nationalisation in 1967, Colvilles became part of the Scottish

and North-west Group of the British Steel Corporation and Mr Craig was

appointed the group's managing director.

When the corporation was re-organised into product divisions in 1969,

he relinquished that position and was appointed to the corporation's

board as director with special responsibility for Scotland.

He retired from the board in 1972 and then served as chairman of the

Hunterston Development Company.

Mr Craig also served in the Army with distinction. He joined the

Territorial Army in 1927 and served with the 6th Cameronians during the

Second World War.

He is survived by his wife, Christina, daughter, Gay, and three sons,

John, David, and Tom.