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Defence of the Realm Act

• Message 1.Μύ

  Posted by U1969296 (U1969296) on Saturday, 5th November 2005

  Hi Guys
  Is the Defence of the Realm Act still in operation?

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by The Researcher Strikes Back (U2183402) on Saturday, 5th November 2005

  Here are some of the Defence of the Realm Act (1914) provisions:
  
  - no-one was allowed to talk about naval or military matters in public places
  
  - no-one was allowed to spread rumours about military matters
  
  - no-one was allowed to buy binoculars
  
  - no-one was allowed to trespass on railway lines or bridges
  
  - no-one was allowed to melt down gold or silver
  
  - no-one was allowed to light bonfires or fireworks
  
  - no-one was allowed to give bread to horses, horses or chickens
  
  - no-one was allowed to use invisible ink when writing abroad
  
  - no-one was allowed to buy brandy or whisky in a railway refreshment room
  
  - no-one was allowed to ring church bells
  
  - the government could take over any factory or workshop
  
  - the government could try any civilian breaking these laws
  
  - the government could take over any land it wanted to
  
  - the government could censor newspapers
  
  As the war continued and evolved, the government introduced more acts to DORA.
  
  - the government introduced British Summer Time to give more daylight for extra work
  
  - opening hours in pubs were cut
  
  - beer was watered down
  
  - customers in pubs were not allowed to buy a round of drinks
  
  It was replaced by more relevant legislation such as the Emergency Powers Acts 1920 and 1964 and Civil Protection in Peacetime Act 1986. Other legislation covers elements of what was originally covered by DORA 1914. Hi Guys
  Is the Defence of the Realm Act still in operation?Μύ

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by arnaldalmaric (U1756653) on Saturday, 5th November 2005

  
  - customers in pubs were not allowed to buy a round of drinks Μύ
  
  I think I know a man who believes that this is still in force.
  
  Cheers AA.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by The Researcher Strikes Back (U2183402) on Sunday, 6th November 2005

  And, on this point. It really was enforced:
  
  Go to and read the section "A Cheap Round" near the bottom dealing with the case of one Mr Robert Andrew Smith who was fined Β£1 for buying his wife a drink. His wife was fined Β£1 for drinking it, and the barmaid was fined Β£5 for serving it.
  
  - customers in pubs were not allowed to buy a round of drinks Μύ
  
  I think I know a man who believes that this is still in force.
  
  Cheers AA.Μύ

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Turnwrest (U2188092) on Monday, 7th November 2005

  DORA has never been repealed , AIUI. The provisins have been modified and amended many times since, but a straight repeal of an existing act is fairly unusual, it remains in place but gets amended. That way the lawyers get plenty of doubtful stuff to argue in court & make their fortunes from.
  
  There is another series of acts which prohibit certain persons from buying rounds in pubs - I wonder if you can guess what they are, and who is prohibited from doing this?

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