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James Prior




He was first elected to Parliament in 1959 , and was Minister Of Agriculture, Fisheries And Food from 1970 - 1972 , then Leader Of The House Of Commons and Lord President Of The Council until 1974 . Under Margaret Thatcher he was Secretary Of State For Employment from 1979 to 1982 , then Secretary Of State For Northern Ireland until 1984 . This transfer was widely seen as a move by Margaret Thatcher to isolate Prior, who disagreed with her on a number of economic issues and was seen as one her cabinet 'wets' at the time. The post of Secretary Of State For Northern Ireland was for a time seen as a 'dumping ground' to marginalise ministers. He retired from Parliament in 1987 and was later created Lord Prior.

He is Vice President and was Chairman of the Rural Housing Trust .

  Title MP for Lowestoft
  Years 1959&ndash1983
  Before Edward Evans
  After (constituency abolished)


  Title MP for Waveney
  Years 1983&ndash1987
  Before (new constituency)
  After David Porter