Records created or inherited by the Northern Ireland Office

Following nearly four years of disturbances, the United Kingdom government imposed direct rule on Northern Ireland in March 1972, and the Northern Ireland Office was established. The Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act provided for the appointment of a Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with powers to act as chief executive officer in respect of Irish services in place of the government of Northern Ireland. The Parliament of Northern Ireland was prorogued and its powers made exercisable through orders in Council. The Secretary of State was advised by a Northern Ireland Commission appointed by himself, and he took over the Northern Ireland Department of the Home Office. The Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 provided for the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland and its replacement by a new form of devolved government through an assembly and executive, which came into operation in January 1974. The post of Governor was abolished, and the Secretary of State exercised the devolved powers through the executive, which he appointed, and through the existing Northern Ireland departments. Seven Northern Ireland departments had been set up in 1921: the Prime Minister's department and the Ministries of Finance, Home Affairs, Labour, Education, Agriculture and Commerce. Later Ministries of Health, Development and, in 1969, Community Relations were added.

The Secretary of State provided the channel of communication between the executive and the United Kingdom government. The assembly and executive collapsed under political and industrial pressure on 29 May 1974 and the Secretary of State resumed direct executive powers.