On 17 June 1974 the Provisional IRA bombed the British Houses of Parliament causing extensive damage and injuring eleven people.

The explosion is suspected to have damaged a gas main and a fire spread fast through the centuries-old hall in one of Britain's most security-tight buildings.

[2] An annex housing a canteen and a number of offices was destroyed, but the great hall itself received only light damage.

[7] The attack signaled the start of a renewed IRA bombing campaign in England that was to last until late 1975 and was to claim the lives of dozens of people.

[8][9][failed verification] The year 1974 ended with the IRA killing 28 people (23 civilians and 5 British soldiers) in bombing operations in England.