Liberal Government 1906-1911

Question 1

Why was it important for the British Empire to establish public health measures?

Answer 1

• Poverty and poor health affected millions
• Malnutrition and poor living conditions
• Needed healthy and fit population for a strong empire (Boer Wars: 1/3 volunteers were unfit)

Question 2

What was the significance of the 1906 General Election?

Answer 2

• Liberal Party, led by Campbell-Bannerman won by a landslide
• Hope for social reform (although progress limited by House of Lords which was Conservative controlled)

Question 3

Education (Provision of Meals) Act 1906

Answer 3

• Local authorities in England Wales to provide school meals
• Funded by government grant and tax (50-50)
• To improve child health and learning conditions
• NOT mandatory though, only 50% of authorities participated
• While improved many children’s health, still many more left vulernable to disease

Question 4

What was introduced to address child health and hygiene?

Answer 4

• School Medical Service (1907)
• Examined children for conditions and regular health checks (successful)
• Limitation: identified but untreated because could not provide/pay

Question 5

Children and Young Persons Act 1908

Answer 5

• Protected children under 16 from abuse, neglect, exploitation (selling alcohol, begging for money)
• Child criminal treated differently from adults (before death penalty could be applied)

Question 6

Labour Exchanges Act 1909

Answer 6

• Helped people find work
• Maintained health of working population (breadwinners meant proper food and shelter and lower risk of diseases)

Question 7

What was the National Insurance Act 1911? (+timelines)

Answer 7

• Health insurance for workers if they fell ill or lost their jobs (two biggest destroyers individuals and family)
• Act provisions extended (1920)
• Laid foundation for future (eventually the formation of the NHS 1946)

Question 8

Opposition (+ why) towards the National Insurance Act of 1911

Answer 8

• Insurance companies: feared they would lose money
• Medical establishment: standard of living would fall if they could not charge fees
• Labour MPs: did not go far enough, wanted the credit themselves for improving people’s lives)
• Press: argued, too costly for small businesses