The catalogue of the papers of Lord Merlyn-Rees is now available online through the Archives catalogue|. The collection is a particularly important resource for all those interested in the history of Northern Ireland in the 1970s.
Merlyn Rees was MP for Leeds South, 1963-1992 (the seat changed its name to Morley and Leeds South in 1983). On becoming an MP, Rees became Principal Private Secretary to James Callaghan, and was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the army, 1965-66; for the RAF, 1966-68; and, at the Home Office, 1968-70. Rees was opposition spokesman on Northern Ireland from October 1971 until he was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in March 1974. Following the resignation of Harold Wilson (in 1976), Rees successfully managed the campaign for Jim Callaghan to become leader of the Labour Party. He was Home Secretary, 1976-79; Shadow Home Secretary, 1979-81; and, Opposition spokesman on energy, 1981-83. In 1982, he served on the Falkland Islands Review Committee (Franks Committee). In 1987, he joined a deputation with Cardinal Basil Hume, Lord Devlin, Lord Scarman, and Roy Jenkins to campaign for the release of the Guildford Four and Maguire Seven. In 1992, he was created a life peer as Baron Merlyn-Rees.
The papers relate to Lord Merlyn-Rees' political career, particularly to his role as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Highlights of the papers include:
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Transcripts of Merlyn Rees' taped diaries, 1972-76. These are a very useful insight into Rees' contemporary views on politics and events in Northern Ireland. Included are accounts of: the Ulster Workers' Strike; the collapse of the power sharing executive; the Constitutional Convention; meetings with politicians; parliamentary proceedings; and, security matters such as the ending of internment and special category status for paramilitary prisoners. The diaries also contain comments on UK politics generally (MERLYN-REES/1).
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Articles, lectures and speeches by Lord Merlyn-Rees, 1965-2002, including speeches made while he was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Home Secretary (MERLYN-REES/2).
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Drafts of Merlyn Rees' book, 'Northern Ireland: a personal perspective' (MERLYN-REES/3).
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Papers regarding visits to Northern Ireland by Merlyn Rees and Colleen Rees, mainly 1972-76 (MERLYN-REES/4).
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Northern Ireland Office papers and press notices, 1974-76 (MERLYN-REES/5-6).
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Correspondence and subject files relating to Northern Ireland, including official memoranda, articles, press cuttings and other papers (MERLYN-REES/7-16).
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Papers regarding the campaign for the release of the Guildford Four and Maguire Seven, and papers regarding the Birmingham Six case (MERLYN-REES/17).
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Papers regarding allegations of a 'dirty tricks' campaign by elements of the security forces during the 1970s. Merlyn Rees was one of the people who was smeared during the campaign (MERLYN-REES/18).
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Subject files (except Northern Ireland), including papers on crime, the Falklands War, media, the miners' strike and policing (MERLYN-REES/19).
For more information regarding these papers please contact us: Contact details|
For information regarding other political papers at LSE Archives please see our guide to holdings on government and politics|.