Catalogue description Home Office: War Legislation (WL Symbol Series) Files

This series deals with war legislation commonly referred to as defence regulations. The regulations were devised to deal with the practical running of the UK following a nuclear war or during a conventional war. Examples of the effect of the regulations are revised penalties for offences, registration of births, marriages and deaths, censorship in wartime and restrictions related to banking and cash. The files also discuss the setting up of regional commissioners to deal with local issues, for example the sentencing of offenders in the event of the breakdown of centralised government and also specific conditions relating to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

These papers contain principal policy papers which led to primary or subordinate legislation in which the Home Office took the lead. They include submissions to Parliamentary Counsel and also papers created during the formulation, implementation or interpretation of major policies affecting England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. They also show the interaction between the Home Office and other government departments covering key areas of public life.

The series also covers non military counter-measures including trade sanctions against East Germany and restrictions on the movement of people from Berlin following the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961. There is also a review of emergency powers in response to the Cuban missile crisis of 1962.

Home Office, Air Raid Precautions Department, 1935-1939

From 2013 Cabinet Office