A committee appointed by the ministry inquired into the existing organization and administration of services in Northern Ireland. Their report influenced the Education Act (NI) of 1923, which made each county and county borough the responsible education authority for its area. The council acted as the education committee. Parents were obligated to ensure children between […]
In 1935, the Northern Ireland Government nationalized road transport services, establishing the Northern Ireland Road Transport Board to coordinate road and rail. The Transport Act 1948 created the Transport Authority, taking over railway operations. The Ulster Transport Authority, established in 1958, took over the Great Northern Railway’s operation within Northern Ireland. The Ulster Transport Authority’s […]
The Loan Guarantees Acts granted authority to the Northern Ireland Minister for Finance to guarantee repayment of loans for building ships and other capital equipment. This legislation demonstrated Ireland’s survival through the Great Depression. The New Industries Development Acts empowered the government to grant industries producing goods not manufactured in Northern Ireland a grant equivalent […]
The same health and poor law system applied to all Ireland as of 1921. Some poor unions and infirmaries became district hospitals. By the beginning of World War II, there were 12 district hospitals, 6 county infirmaries, 12 union infirmaries, and several voluntary hospitals. The Ministry of Health and Local Government was established in 1944. The […]
Prior to World War II, legislation provided state assistance for constructing houses for urban workers, employees, and cottages for rural agricultural workers. Around 4,000 houses were built by local authorities, 33,000 by private builders with state aid, and 3,700 laborers’ cottages. Approximately 10,000 houses were constructed without state assistance. At the end of World War II, […]
The Government of Ireland Act 1920 sought to establish separate political institutions for Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. The Northern Ireland institutions were established on May 3, 1921. However, the institutions for Southern Ireland were never realized. The elections to the Parliament of Southern Ireland were regarded as elections to the Second Dail under the […]
From 1921 to 1972, the legislature of Northern Ireland consisted of the House of Commons and the Senate. The Lord Lieutenant was replaced by a Governor in 1922, with powers to enact legislation, though this was rarely exercised. The Governor’s term was six years but was eligible for reappointment. If the Senate rejected a bill, a […]
On March 24, 1972. The UK Prime Minister, Edward Heath, announced that the British government was intending to take direct control in Northern Ireland until a political solution could be worked out. They suspended the Northern Ireland parliament but did not dissolve it. The power to make laws for Northern Ireland was provided by two […]