Northern Ireland Department of the Home Office explained

Before partition, Ireland was governed through the Dublin Castle administration and the Home Office was also responsible for Irish affairs. From 1924 to 1972, Northern Ireland affairs were handled by the Northern Ireland Department of the Home Office.^[1] In August 1969, for example, Home Secretary James Callaghan approved the sending of British Army soldiers to Northern Ireland.^[2]

As the Troubles worsened, the UK Government was increasingly concerned that the Northern Ireland Government (at Stormont) was losing control of the situation. On 24 March 1972, it announced that direct rule from Westminster would be introduced. This took effect on 30 March 1972.^[3]

The last Deputy Secretary in charge of the Northern Ireland Department within the Home Office was Philip John Woodfield who was promoted to this post in 1972 just before it became the Northern Ireland Office.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Home Office. National Archives Catalogue. National Archives. 15 October 2011.
2. Web site: Melaugh. Martin. The Deployment of British Troops – 14 August 1969. Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). University of Ulster. 15 October 2011.
3. Web site: Melaugh. Martin. A Chronology of the Conflict – 1972. Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN). University of Ulster. 15 October 2011.
4. News: Adams and IRA's secret Whitehall talks . BBC News . 1 January 2003 . 21 October 2009. . Note - in this story Woodfield is referred to by his middle name "John".