The Parliament of Northern Ireland was the home rule legislature created under the Government of Ireland Act 1920, which existed from 7 June 1921[1] to 30 March 1972, when it was suspended. It was subsequently abolished under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.[2]
The first Government or Executive Committee of the Privy Council of Northern Ireland was led by James Craig (Lord Craigavon from 1927[3]), who was Prime Minister between 7 June 1921 and 24 November 1940.[4]
On 7 June 1921, Craig was appointed prime minister and two weeks later King George V arrived in Belfast to officially open the new parliament and give the royal stamp of approval to the new political arrangements.
The Northern Ireland Parliament was suspended on 30 March 1972 and formally abolished in 1973 under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.
Titles in Lords Viscount Craigavon 1927 - November 24, 1940
Attributed to Lord Craigavom, first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, in office from 7 June 1921 to 24 November 1940.
Craig became prime minister, Hugh Pollock minister of finance and Dawson Bates minister for home affairs. J M Andrews was appointed minister for labour and the Marquess of Londonderry as minister of education. Edward Archdale combined the commerce and agriculture portfolios.
MINISTER OF FINANCE 7th June 1921 Hugh MacDowell Pollock 21st April 1937 John Miller Andrews (office combined with Prime Minister 25th November 1940-16th January 1941)
MINISTER OF EDUCATION 7th June 1921 Marquess of Londonderry* 8th January 1926 Viscount Charlemont* 13th October 1937 vacant 1st December 1937 John Hanna Robb*
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE 7th June 1921 Edward Mervyn Archdale (office combined with Minister of Commerce 7th June 1921-16th April 1925) 1st December 1933 Sir Basil Stanlake Brooke, Bt.
MINISTER OF LABOUR 7th June 1921 John Miller Andrews 21st April 1937 David Graham Shillington 29th August 1938 John Fawcett Gordon
MINISTER OF COMMERCE 7th June 1921 Edward Mervyn Archdale (office combined with Minister of Agriculture 7th June 1921-16th April 1925) 16th April 1925 John Milne Barbour
A previous owner of O'Donnell's wig was Sir Anthony Babington, who was Attorney General for Northern Ireland from 1925 until 1937, when he was appointed Lord Justice of the Appeal.