Defence Regulation 18B

Defence Regulation 18B was the most famous of the Defence Regulations used by the British Government during World War II. It allowed for the internment of people suspected of being Nazi sympathisers.

Preparations for war

The Defence Regulations existed in draft form, constantly revised, throughout the inter-war period. In early 1939 it was decided, since a war might break out without warning or time to pass an Act of Parliament to bring in emergency regulations, that the Regulations should be split into two codes. Code A would be needed immediately war broke out and could be passed in peacetime, while Code B (containing the more severe restrictions on civil liberties) would be brought in later.

Related Topics:
1939 - Act of Parliament

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In order not to alert the public to the existence of Code B, Code A was simply numbered consecutively. Defence Regulation 18 concerned restrictions on movement of aircraft. It was originally intended that Code B would be imposed by an Order in Council, with retrospective indemnity being granted by an Act of Parliament should anyone dispute the actions of the authorities.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When tension rose over Poland, the House of Commons was recalled from its summer recess on August 24, 1939 to pass the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act which gave authority to bring in the Defence Regulations. Code A was brought into effect that day, and Code B followed on September 1. Foreigners (enemy aliens) were detained using powers under the Royal Prerogative while 18B was used mainly for British nationals.

Related Topics:
House of Commons - August 24 - 1939 - September 1 - Royal Prerogative

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~