Author: Asa Briggs
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Ministry of Production
Ministry of Production History A British Government department created in February 1942, it successfully filled a gap between the Ministry of Supply (responsible for equipping the armed forces) and the Ministry of Labour and National Service (responsible for the distribution of labour between […]
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Broadmoor Hospital
Broadmoor Hospital History A high security psychiatric hospital in Berkshire with about 260 patients, most of whom suffer from severe mental illness. Some also have personality disorders. The majority have been convicted of serious crimes or have been found unfit to plead in a trial for such crimes.
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Justices of the Peace
Justices Of The Peace History Judicial officers appointed to keep the peace. Appointed from ordinary citizens, they dispense summary justice dealing with less-important cases of common law, and deal with local administrative applications (such as licensing laws). Definition of Justices of The […]
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John Hodge
John Hodge History Labour MP from 1906-1923 and trade unionist in the Iron and Steel Industry. Minister of Labour from 1916-1917 and Minister of Pensions from 1917-1919 in Lloyd George's the First World War Coalition government. He opposed strike action and threatened strikers during the […]
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George Bolton
Sir George Bolton History British civil servant and former Director of the Bank of England. Conservative politician and MP from 1931-1945 and 1950-1959. Held a succession of minor ministerial posts, including Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Stanley Baldwin and was Chairman of the Oil […]
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Mountbatten
Lord Mountbatten History Distinguished British naval commander, who served in the Second World War as Chief of Combined Operations and Supreme Commander in South East Asia. Appointed the last Viceroy of India, March 1947, he presided over partition and the independence of India and Pakistan. […]
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Charles Trevelyan
Sir Charles Trevelyan History Politician first elected as a Liberal, he joined the Labour Party after the First World War, serving as President of the Board of Education between 1929-1931, when he resigned. He was briefly expelled from the Labour Party in 1939 for supporting a 'Popular […]
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Mcnaghten Rules
Mcnaghten Rules History A set of guidelines for an insanity defence used in England until the 1960s. The rules only excused (from criminal responsibility) those whose insanity resulted in a lack of knowledge of right and wrong. Those lacking the capacity to control a criminal action because of […]
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Leslie Rowan
Leslie Rowan History British civil servant. Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to the Prime Minister during the Second World War. Rowan was also Chair of the British Council from 1971-1972.
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National Union of Railwaymen
National Union Of Railwaymen History Established in 1913 as an amalgamation of three railway unions, it catered for the majority of railway workers, including catering and maintenance staff. In 1914 it joined forces with the Miners' Federation and the National Transport Workers' […]
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Mining Association
Mining Association History Loose confederation of mine owners, working together to influence government policy in opposition to the demands of the Miners' Federation. Each coalfield/area had its own mine-owners organisation to facilitate common policies, conditions and wages.
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Enoch Powell
Enoch Powell History Conservative MP from 1950-1974 and an Ulster Unionist MP from 1974-1987. Controversial throughout his career. Held strong and distinctive views on matters such as immigration and the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community (EEC). Best remembered for […]
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Herbert Samuel
Sir Herbert Samuel History Liberal MP and diplomat. Controversial choice as High Commissioner for Palestine 1920-1925. Baldwin asked him to investigate the problems of the mining industry. He recommended reorganising – but not nationalising – the coal industry, and withdrawing the subsidy on […]
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Prisons Board of Visitors
Prisons Board Of Visitors History An independent watchdog appointed in each prison and Young Offenders Institution by the Home Secretary to ensure the rights and well-being of all prisoners are being safeguarded. Regular visitors to their local prison, board members hear complaints or requests […]
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Leo Abse
Leo Abse History Labour back-bench MP for 30 years, noted for his independent spirit and willingness to take up controversial issues. He effectively advocated legislation that simplified the legal process of divorce and promoted a private members bill to legalise male homosexual relations, […]