§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will circulate up-to-date particulars of the allocation of ministerial duties in the Northern Ireland Office, and of corresponding arrangements at Stormont.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesUnder the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is Her Majesty's principal officer in Northern Ireland. The administration of law and order became a matter reserved to the Secretary of State under that Act. After the Northern Ireland Executive, which had been appointed by the Secretary of State on 1st January 1974, ceased to hold office at the end of May 1974, and in accordance with the provisions of the Northern Ireland Act 1974, the Secretary of State became on 17th July 1974 responsible for the direction and control of the Northern Ireland Departments.
As Secretary of State I thus continue to be responsible for matters reserved under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 in the whole law and order field, and am also responsible to Parliament for the time being for "transferred" matters, and legislation thereon, which were formerly the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive and for which the Executive was accountable to the Assembly. I and my colleagues exercise these responsibilities continuously whether in Northern Ireland or in London.
267WIn these circumstances I maintain direct personal responsibility for constitutional matters, security and law and order. I also have a close personal concern in overall social and economic planning for Northern Ireland. I have allocated
Minister Northern Ireland Department Areas of Special Concern Minister of State, Rt. Hon. Stanley Orme, M.P. Department of Commerce. Deputy to the Secretary of State. Department of Manpower Services. Political Affairs. Minister of State, Mr. Roland Moyle M.P. Department of Health and Social Services. Police. EEC Co-ordination. Department of Education. Under-Seerctary of State. Mr. I. D. Concannon, M.P. Department of Housing Local Government and Planning. Army Construction Industry Advisory Council. Department of the Environment. Under-Secretary of State, Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge. Department of Agriculture. Prison Administration. Department of Finance. Compensation.