The social and political problems which attained the most prominence in the United Kingdom in 1922 showed a further departure from those which had chiefly occupied public attention during the war, and the country had by now almost returned to its normal condition. Prices continued to fall during the early part of the year, but very slowly as compared with the previous decline, and in the latter half of the year the fall ceased almost entirely, prices becoming comparatively stabilized at about 80% above the level of July 1914. Labour problems, which had occupied so much attention during and after the war, were less constantly in the public eye. The principle of inevitable reductions in wages had been accepted by the working classes as a whole, and there were few strikes on a large scale, the worst being that in the engineering trade. Unemployment continued to be very great, but it was recognized that little more could be done by government measures for its alleviation, and the subject was much less prominent in the political world than it had been in the previous year. A further indication of the return to normal conditions was in the gradual decay of the coalition government; the combination of parties which had been brought about in the presence of a common danger was no longer found to work satisfactorily when the normal problems of peace were at issue. Very early in the year signs of disintegration became manifest in the coalition. On several occasions the two wings threatened to fall apart, but the government was successfully held together by the personality of Prime Minister David Lloyd George until the last quarter of the year, when the internal dissensions which had made themselves felt for so many months past reached a bursting-point, and the coalition was finally rent asunder in a day.
Irish affairs occupied an important place in politics throughout the year. 1922 saw the establishment of the Irish Free State in the south of the island.
Unionists and General Election.—Speeches on the Situation by Chamberlain.—Asquith, Churchill.—Lloyd George and Lord Grey.—Further Speeches by Asquith and Churchill.—Ireland: Debate in the Dáil Éireann on the Treaty.—De Valera's Resignation.—Griffith elected President of the Dáil.—Provisional Government appointed.—Transfer of Dublin Castle.—Agreement between Michael Collins and Sir James Craig.
Outrages in Ireland.—Election in Ireland postponed for three months.—Coalition defended by the Lord Chancellor and Austen Chamberlain.—Report of the Geddes Committee.—Reply of the Admiralty.—Opening of Parliament: King's Speech.—Debate on Address: Lloyd George's Speech.—Government and Ulster.—Debate on the Unemployment Problem.—Debate on Expenditure.—Debate on India.—Debate on Civil Service Pensions.—Austen Chamberlain and the Lord Chancellor on the Coalition.—The Irish Free State Bill in the Commons: Churchill's Speech.—The Debate.—Further Report of Geddes Committee.—Government's Egyptian Policy.
Chancellor of Exchequer's Speech.—Outrages in Ireland.—Irish Free State Bill passed.—Future of the Coalition.—Resignation of Edwin Montagu.—Montagu at Cambridge.—Lord Curzon's Reply.—Crisis in the Coalition.—Army Estimates Debate.—Navy Estimates.—Air Service Recommendations.—Air Estimates.—Unemployed Insurance Bill.—Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades Crisis.—Conferences between Masters and Men.—Lockout Notices.
Attitude of the Unions.—The Republican Party in Ireland.—Fresh Outbreak of Disturbances.—Commons Debate on Genoa Conference.—Conservative Challenge to Coalition Government.—Old Age Pensions Amendment.—Speeches by Winston Churchill on Foreign Politics and Lord Inchcape on Taxation.—Second Reading of Empire Settlement Bill.—Savings in Education.
The Budget Introduced.—Debate.—Sir Eric Geddes on the Budget.—Post Office Vote.—Prevention of Unemployment Bill.—Chamberlain on Government Economics.—On Turkish Outrages.—Government Defeat on School Teachers' Bill.—Further Bills discussed.—Lloyd George's Statement on Genoa Conference.—Ireland in May.—Sinn Féin Coalition.—Churchill and the Irish Leaders.—Shipyard Dispute Settled.—Sir William Mackenzie's Report on Engineering Dispute.
Progress and Close of Engineering Dispute.—Cabinet and Draft Irish Constitution.—Conflict between British Troops and Irish Republicans.—Revised Draft of Constitution.—General Election in Ireland.—Irish Government's Statement.—Debate in the Commons: Speeches by Churchill, Bonar Law, and Lloyd George.—Fighting in Dublin.—Murder of Sir Henry Wilson.—Discussions in Parliament on the Cabinet Secretariat— India—Telephones—Aerial Defense.—Palestine Mandate Discussed in the Lords.—In the Commons.—Debate in Lords on Genoa Conference.—Discussions on the Award of Honours.
Fighting in Dublin.—Discussion in House of Lords.—Destruction of the Four Courts.—Measures of the Provisional Government.—Fighting at Limerick.—Discussion of Economy Bill.—Of Teachers' Superannuation Bill.—On Allied Indebtedness.—On Award of Honours.—Charges against Lord Waring and Lord Forres.—Their Defense.—House of Lords Reform.—The Embargo on Canadian Cattle.—Navy Estimates.—War Service Canteens Bill.—Lords' Debate on the Air Service.—Post Office and Broadcasting.—Lord Grey on Government's Policy.—Debate on Importation of Fabric Gloves.
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David Lloyd George's Coalition Ministry (resigned October 19)
UnitedKingdom, officially the UnitedKingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, island nation and constitutional monarchy in north-western Europe, member of the European Union and Commonwealth of Nations.
The UnitedKingdom is bordered to the south by the English Channel, which separates it from continental Europe, to the east by the North Sea, and to the west by the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean; the only land border is between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
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Queen Elizabeth II The UnitedKingdom is a constitutional monarchy, with executive power exercised by a government headed by the Prime Minister and the other Ministers of State who form the Cabinet.
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