VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000 > B. Europe, 1945–2000 > 6. Western Europe, 1945–2000 > a. Britain > 1947, Jan. 1
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1947, Jan. 1
 
The nationalization of the coal mines went into effect.  1
 
Jan.–April
 
The fiercest winter in decades caused severe fuel shortages across the nation. A serious coal shortage led to drastic fuel restrictions and curtailment of industrial production. At the same time, Parliament continued its socialization programs by adopting the Transport Act, which created the British Transport Commission to regulate rail and trucking systems and other modes of transport, as well as to plan for the repair of war damage and the expansion of the nation's transportation infrastructure. Parliament also adopted the Electricity Act, nationalizing 550 private electricity companies, and the Town and Country Planning Act, which set up a new planning system to regulate the growth of communities.  2
 
June 1
 
Minister of Labour George Issacs urged that more British women should take paid employment outside the home.  3
 
Aug. 12
 
Britain accepted 20,000 refugee women from the U.S. zone in Germany, to help in filling the labor shortage.  4
 
Nov. 20
 
Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, duke of Edinburgh, were married in Westminister Abbey.  5
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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