Catalogue description Geddes Papers

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Details of MT 49
Reference: MT 49
Title: Geddes Papers
Description:

This series consists of private office papers of Sir Eric Geddes, the first Minister of Transport, August 1919 to August 1921. They deal with railways, including the Railway Bill 1921, ports, canals and ferries; roads, traffic and vehicles. Also included is some personal correspondence, mainly about railways, 1919 to 1922, together with a letter concerning the papers from his executors, 1940.
Date: 1919-1940
Arrangement:

The papers have been grouped as follows:Railways; Ports, Canals and Ferries; Roads; Traffic and Vehicles; Miscellaneous.
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Creator:

Sir Eric Campbell Geddes, Knight, 1875-1937
Physical description: 210 file(s)
Immediate source of acquisition:

In 1967 Ministry of Transport
Administrative / biographical background:

Sir Eric Campbell Geddes, entered Government service in 1915 as Deputy Director-General of Munitions Supply, and in 1916 and 1917 served as Director-General of Military Railways and Inspector-General of Transportation. From July 1917 to December 1918 he was First Lord of the Admiralty.

After leaving the Admiralty he was engaged, as Minister without Portfolio, in drafting the Ministry of Ways and Communications Bill, which became the Ministry of Transport Act on 15th August, 1919. He was appointed the first Minister of Transport on 18th August, 1919.

The Railways Act, 1921 authorising the amalgamation of 123 separate railway companies into four groups, and the settlement of the claim of the railways on the Government in respect of its possession of them during the first World War were his major tasks whilst in office.

From August 1921 to March 1922, he became Chairman of the Committee appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to advise on all questions of National Expenditure.

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