Ministry of Reconstruction
Encyclopedia
The Ministry of Reconstruction was a department of the United Kingdom
government which existed after both World War I
and World War II
in order to provide for the needs of the population in the post war years.
government of 1917 and covered a wide range of political and social areas, including:
It was led by Christopher Addison and was "charged with overseeing the task of rebuilding 'the national life on a better and more durable foundation' once the Great War was over.
The Ministry addressed the issues of prolonged strike action
by workers, many of whom were demobilised troops. 2.4 million British workers were involved in strike action in 1919 , in what the government perceived as a threat to the development of the economy.
, minister without portfolio in the War Cabinet. Between 1940 and 1942 the Secretariat was headed by Sir George Chrystal, formerly permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, and subsequently by Alfred Hurst, formerly undersecretary at the Ministry of Mines.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
government which existed after both World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in order to provide for the needs of the population in the post war years.
World War I
The Ministry of Reconstruction was originally established by the Lloyd GeorgeDavid Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
government of 1917 and covered a wide range of political and social areas, including:
- administrative reform
- the role of women in society
- employment
- industrial relations
- housing
It was led by Christopher Addison and was "charged with overseeing the task of rebuilding 'the national life on a better and more durable foundation' once the Great War was over.
The Ministry addressed the issues of prolonged strike action
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
by workers, many of whom were demobilised troops. 2.4 million British workers were involved in strike action in 1919 , in what the government perceived as a threat to the development of the economy.
World War II
The second Ministry of Reconstruction was established in November 1943 and abolished in July 1945 and for its duration was under the political leadership of Lord Woolton. Its permanent secretary was Norman Brook. It replaced the Reconstruction Secretariat which had been the political responsibility of Arthur GreenwoodArthur Greenwood
Arthur Greenwood CH was a prominent member of the Labour Party from the 1920s until the late 1940s. He rose to prominence within the party as secretary of its research department from 1920 and served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health in the short-lived Labour government of 1924...
, minister without portfolio in the War Cabinet. Between 1940 and 1942 the Secretariat was headed by Sir George Chrystal, formerly permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, and subsequently by Alfred Hurst, formerly undersecretary at the Ministry of Mines.