Volume 9: Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Part 3: Northern Ireland
13. Statutory framework and responsibilities
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

13.6 The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was head of the Northern Ireland Office, and was assisted by two Ministers of State and two Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State. He was directly responsible for political and constitutional matters and other major policy issues while responsibility for the Departments of Agriculture, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Finance and Personnel, and Health and Social Services was shared among the other Ministers. Mr Tom King was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland between 1985 and 1989 followed by Mr Peter Brooke until 1992. Sir Patrick Mayhew held office for the remainder of the period covered by this Report.