1972

James Prior (b. 1927) was elected to the Commons in 1959 as a Conservative. He was minister of agriculture, fisheries and food, 1970-72, lord president of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, 1972-74, Secretary of State for employment 1979-81, and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, 1981-84. He became a life peer in 1987 as Lord Prior.