NATIONAL COAL BOARD Meaning and
Definition
-
The National Coal Board (NCB) was a public body established by the British government in 1947 under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act. Its primary goal was to manage and regulate the coal industry in the United Kingdom, with a particular focus on ensuring the supply of coal for electricity generation and various industries.
As a government entity, the National Coal Board wielded significant control and influence over the coal mining sector. It operated a large number of coal mines throughout the country, employing thousands of workers directly and indirectly. The NCB was responsible for overseeing the extraction, production, and distribution of coal, as well as regulating safety standards and workers' conditions in the mines.
The National Coal Board played a vital role in the UK's energy sector and industrial development for several decades. However, due to various factors such as the decline in coal demand, the NCB's role diminished over time. In 1987, the organization was renamed British Coal, marking a shift towards privatization. Eventually, the UK coal industry was completely privatized by 1994, leading to the dissolution of British Coal and the end of the National Coal Board's existence.
Although no longer in operation, the National Coal Board's legacy remains influential in the history of the British coal industry and the socio-economic impact on mining communities.
