13: Policies of the National Government

Question 1

What happened to the gold standard?

Answer 1

Came off

Question 2

What happened to the budget?

Answer 2

They aimed to balance the budget and limit government spending to match government income

Question 3

What happened to interest rate and when? (2)

Answer 3

• 1932

- lowered to 2%

Question 4

What happened to unemployment benefits? (2)

Answer 4

• 10% cut in benefits

- introduced a means test

Question 5

What happened to wages?

Answer 5

Cut in public employees’ wages

Question 6

How did the government aim to keep the value of the pound stable?

Answer 6

By intervening in currency markets

Question 7

What was the sterling area?

Answer 7

Members using the pound rather than gold to settle their trading accounts

Question 8

What was the import duties act and when was it? (2)

Answer 8

• 1932

- Imposing tariffs to protect British industry and agriculture with exemptions for British Empire counties

Question 9

Where and when did the government agree on a form of imperial tariff system? (2)

Answer 9

• 1932

- Ottawa

Question 10

What and when was the Special Areas Act? (2)

Answer 10

• 1934

- Provided government aid to the most depressed areas

Question 11

What and when was the Cotton Industry (Reorganisation) Act? (2)

Answer 11

• 1936

- It closed down non-profitable mills and so reduced surplus capacity in the industry

Question 12

What did making treaties with various countries allow?

Answer 12

It allowed a quota for their imports into Britain in return for a similar quota for British exports

Question 13

When and what was the British Shipping (Assistance) Act? (2)

Answer 13

• 1935

- It provided government loans for shipping companies to scrap older ships and build new ones

Question 14

What and when was the North Atlantic Shipping Act? (2)

Answer 14

• 1934

- It provided loans to help restart the building of the huge transatlantic liner Queen Mary

Question 15

What did they set market boards for and why? (2)

Answer 15

• milk, bacon and potatoes

- It provided guaranteed prices for farmers

Question 16

Who did the government provide subsidies for? (2)

Answer 16

• Livestock farmers

- sugar beet growers

Question 17

When and what was the Factory Act? (2)

Answer 17

• 1937

- extended safety regulations under the Factory Code from 7-11 million

Question 18

When and what was the Holiday with Pay Act? (2)

Answer 18

• 1938

- It gave workers the right to one week’s paid holiday

Question 19

When and what was the Coal Mines Act? (2)

Answer 19

• 1938

- Transferred the ‘royalties’ paid for coal mined underground from landowners to the government