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The concept of a county borough was first introduced in the United Kingdom through legislation passed in 1901.
Answer: False
Explanation: The concept of a county borough was not introduced in 1901, but rather through the Local Government Act of 1888, with these authorities becoming operational in 1889.
County councils were eager to govern large towns and cities from the outset of the county council system in 1889.
Answer: False
Explanation: County councils were generally hesitant to govern large towns and cities due to administrative impracticality, which led to the establishment of independent county boroughs.
In 1889, 61 county boroughs were established in Wales and two in England.
Answer: False
Explanation: The initial establishment in 1889 comprised 61 county boroughs in England and two in Wales, not the reverse as stated.
Cardiff and Swansea were the only Welsh cities designated as county boroughs in 1889.
Answer: True
Explanation: Cardiff and Swansea were the sole Welsh cities designated as county boroughs in the initial establishment phase in 1889.
What was the primary purpose of establishing county boroughs in the UK starting in 1889?
Answer: To grant larger urban areas administrative independence from county council control.
Explanation: The primary purpose of establishing county boroughs in the UK, beginning in 1889, was to grant larger urban areas administrative independence from county council control, allowing them to function as autonomous local government units.
Which piece of legislation formally introduced the concept of county boroughs in the UK?
Answer: The Local Government Act 1888
Explanation: The concept of county boroughs was formally introduced in the United Kingdom via the Local Government Act of 1888.
Why were county councils initially hesitant to govern large towns and cities when the system was established?
Answer: They considered it administratively impractical.
Explanation: County councils were initially hesitant to govern large towns and cities due to administrative impracticality, which led to the establishment of independent county boroughs.
In Scotland, the designation equivalent to a county borough was known as a 'county of shire'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The designation in Scotland equivalent to a county borough was termed a 'county of city', not a 'county of shire'.
The Local Government Act 1888 generally required a population exceeding 100,000 for a borough to become a county borough.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Local Government Act 1888 generally required a population of over 50,000 for a borough to qualify for county borough status, not 100,000.
Historic towns like Bath and Dudley were granted county borough status despite having populations below the 50,000 threshold in 1889.
Answer: True
Explanation: Exceptions were made to the population threshold in 1889, allowing historic towns such as Bath and Dudley to attain county borough status even with populations below 50,000.
In Scotland, the designation equivalent to a county borough was known as a 'county of shire'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The designation in Scotland equivalent to a county borough was termed a 'county of city', not a 'county of shire'.
Oxford was one of the first boroughs to be designated a county borough in 1889.
Answer: False
Explanation: Oxford achieved county borough status on November 9, 1889, making it the first borough not designated in the initial 1888 Act to subsequently gain this status, rather than being among the very first in 1889.
After the initial 1889 designations, boroughs typically gained county borough status by meeting the population threshold and promoting private acts of Parliament.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the initial designations in 1889, most boroughs acquired county borough status by meeting the population threshold and subsequently promoting private acts of Parliament.
The population threshold for county borough status was raised to 75,000 in 1926.
Answer: True
Explanation: The population threshold for county borough status was raised to 75,000 by legislation enacted in 1926.
The Local Government Act 1958 raised the population threshold for county borough status to 50,000.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Local Government Act of 1958 did not raise the threshold to 50,000; rather, it increased the population requirement for county borough status to 100,000.
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough faced severe economic difficulties in the 1930s due to a decline in its heavy industries.
Answer: True
Explanation: Merthyr Tydfil County Borough experienced severe economic hardship in the 1930s primarily as a result of a decline in its heavy industries.
A Royal Commission recommended that Merthyr Tydfil should cease to be a county borough and revert to being a non-county borough.
Answer: True
Explanation: A Royal Commission recommended that Merthyr Tydfil should revert to a non-county borough status, although the town ultimately retained its county borough status.
The 1947 commission suggested that 'new county boroughs' should have populations between 100,000 and 300,000.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1947 commission proposed that 'new county boroughs' should have populations ranging between 60,000 and 200,000, not between 100,000 and 300,000.
According to the 1971 census, Birmingham had a population of just over one million.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the 1971 census, the population of the County Borough of Birmingham was recorded as 1,014,773, which is just over one million.
In 1971, the County Borough of Birmingham was administratively part of the county of Yorkshire.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1971, the County Borough of Birmingham was associated with Warwickshire, not Yorkshire.
According to the 1971 census data provided, Canterbury had the largest population among the listed county boroughs.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, Birmingham, with a population of 1,014,773 according to the 1971 census, had the largest population among the listed county boroughs, not Canterbury.
The County Borough of Devonport was abolished in 1914 and incorporated into the County Borough of Plymouth.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1914, the County Borough of Devonport was abolished and subsequently merged into the County Borough of Plymouth.
The County Borough of Liverpool had a population of 610,114 according to the 1971 census.
Answer: True
Explanation: The County Borough of Liverpool had a population of 610,114 according to the 1971 census.
Prior to the 1974 reforms, the County Borough of Liverpool was associated with Cheshire.
Answer: False
Explanation: Prior to the 1974 reforms, the County Borough of Liverpool was associated with Lancashire, not Cheshire.
The Local Government Act 1888 generally required a population of over 50,000 for a borough to qualify for county borough status, but exceptions existed for existing counties corporate.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Local Government Act 1888 generally required a population of over 50,000 for a borough to qualify for county borough status, with specific exceptions made for existing counties corporate.
The Local Government Act 1958 raised the population threshold for county borough status to 100,000.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Local Government Act of 1958 increased the population requirement for county borough status to 100,000.
What was the Scottish equivalent of a county borough?
Answer: A County of City
Explanation: The administrative designation in Scotland that was equivalent to a county borough was known as a 'county of city'.
What was the general population requirement for a borough to become a county borough under the Local Government Act 1888?
Answer: Over 50,000
Explanation: Under the Local Government Act 1888, the general population requirement for a borough to become a county borough was over 50,000.
Which of the following towns was an exception granted county borough status in 1889 despite having a population below the general threshold?
Answer: Bath
Explanation: Bath was one of the towns granted county borough status in 1889 as an exception, despite having a population below the general threshold of 50,000.
How did most other boroughs gain county borough status after the initial 1889 designations?
Answer: By promoting private acts of Parliament.
Explanation: After the initial designations in 1889, most boroughs acquired county borough status by meeting the population threshold and subsequently promoting private acts of Parliament.
The population threshold for county borough status was raised to 75,000 by legislation in which year?
Answer: 1926
Explanation: The population threshold for county borough status was raised to 75,000 by legislation enacted in 1926.
Which legislative act further increased the population requirement for county borough status to 100,000?
Answer: Local Government Act 1958
Explanation: The Local Government Act of 1958 increased the population requirement for county borough status to 100,000.
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough faced significant economic hardship in the 1930s primarily due to:
Answer: A decline in its heavy industries.
Explanation: Merthyr Tydfil County Borough experienced significant economic hardship in the 1930s primarily as a result of a decline in its heavy industries.
What was the outcome of the Royal Commission's report on Merthyr Tydfil's county borough status?
Answer: It recommended Merthyr Tydfil revert to a non-county borough status.
Explanation: The Royal Commission's report recommended that Merthyr Tydfil should revert to a non-county borough status, although the town ultimately retained its county borough status.
The 1947 commission suggested 'new county boroughs' should have populations roughly between:
Answer: 60,000 and 200,000
Explanation: The 1947 commission suggested that 'new county boroughs' should ideally have populations ranging between 60,000 and 200,000.
In the 1971 census data provided, which county borough had the largest population?
Answer: Birmingham
Explanation: According to the 1971 census data presented, Birmingham recorded the largest population among the listed county boroughs.
What happened to the County Borough of Devonport in 1914?
Answer: It was abolished and merged into the County Borough of Plymouth.
Explanation: In 1914, the County Borough of Devonport was abolished and subsequently merged into the County Borough of Plymouth.
County boroughs were established in the UK to grant larger urban areas administrative independence from county council control.
Answer: True
Explanation: The establishment of county boroughs in the United Kingdom, beginning in 1889, was specifically intended to provide larger urban areas with administrative independence from the control of county councils, allowing them to manage all local government functions autonomously.
County boroughs were administratively subordinate to the surrounding county councils, contributing to their taxation.
Answer: False
Explanation: County boroughs were administratively independent of surrounding county councils and were not subject to their taxation; they managed their own local government functions.
County boroughs were administratively subordinate to the surrounding county councils, contributing to their taxation.
Answer: False
Explanation: County boroughs were administratively independent of surrounding county councils and were not subject to their taxation; they managed their own local government functions.
County councils generally supported boroughs seeking county borough status as it increased their overall tax revenue.
Answer: False
Explanation: County councils generally opposed boroughs seeking county borough status, as it resulted in the loss of the borough's tax base from the administrative county, thereby reducing the county's overall revenue.
How did county boroughs fundamentally differ from administrative counties?
Answer: County boroughs were independent of county council authority and taxation.
Explanation: County boroughs fundamentally differed from administrative counties by being independent entities, free from the authority and taxation of the surrounding county council, thus managing all their own local government functions.
What was the main reason county councils often opposed boroughs seeking county borough status?
Answer: The borough's tax base would be removed from the county.
Explanation: The primary reason county councils opposed boroughs seeking county borough status was the resultant loss of the borough's tax base, which would be removed from the county's revenue.
All county boroughs in England and Wales were abolished in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Local Government Act 1972 mandated the abolition of county boroughs in England and Wales, with these reforms taking effect in 1974.
After World War II, the creation of new county boroughs was actively encouraged by the government pending a review.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following World War II, the government did not actively encourage the creation of new county boroughs; instead, their creation was suspended pending a comprehensive review of local government structures.
Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve chaired the Local Government Boundary Commission established in 1945.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve chaired the Local Government Boundary Commission that was appointed in October 1945.
The Local Government Act 1958 established the Local Government Commission for England but not for Wales.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Local Government Act of 1958 established Local Government Commissions for both England and Wales, not solely for England.
Luton, Torbay, and Solihull were among the last new county boroughs created before the 1974 reforms.
Answer: True
Explanation: Luton, Torbay, and Solihull were among the last county boroughs to be created before the major reforms of 1974.
The County Borough of Teesside was formed in 1968 by merging several existing boroughs, including Stockton-on-Tees.
Answer: True
Explanation: The County Borough of Teesside, established in 1968, was formed by merging the existing county borough of Middlesbrough with the municipal boroughs of Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar, and Thornaby.
The county boroughs of East Ham, West Ham, and Croydon were abolished in 1965 due to the creation of Greater Manchester.
Answer: False
Explanation: The abolition of the county boroughs of East Ham, West Ham, and Croydon in 1965 was a consequence of the creation of Greater London, not Greater Manchester.
In 1986, metropolitan county councils were abolished, returning metropolitan boroughs to a status similar to former county boroughs.
Answer: True
Explanation: The abolition of metropolitan county councils in 1986 resulted in metropolitan boroughs regaining an administrative status comparable to that of former county boroughs.
Birmingham MB (part) became part of the West Midlands county after the 1974 local government reforms.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the 1974 local government reforms, the successor entity for the County Borough of Birmingham became part of the West Midlands county.
The county boroughs of East Ham and West Ham were incorporated into the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham after 1965.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following their abolition in 1965, the county boroughs of East Ham and West Ham were incorporated into the London Borough of Newham, not the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
In what year were the county boroughs in England and Wales abolished and replaced by a two-tier system?
Answer: 1974
Explanation: The county boroughs in England and Wales were abolished in 1974, following the implementation of the Local Government Act 1972, which established a new two-tier system of local government.
Following World War II, what was the government's policy regarding the creation of new county boroughs?
Answer: They were suspended pending a comprehensive review.
Explanation: Following World War II, the government's policy was to suspend the creation of new county boroughs pending a comprehensive review of local government structures.
Who chaired the Local Government Boundary Commission appointed in October 1945?
Answer: Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve
Explanation: Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve chaired the Local Government Boundary Commission that was appointed in October 1945.
Which of the following towns were among the last to be granted county borough status before the 1974 reforms?
Answer: Both A and B
Explanation: Luton, Torbay, and Solihull, along with Teesside and Warley, were among the last county boroughs to be created before the major reforms of 1974.
The County Borough of Teesside was formed in 1968 by merging which of the following?
Answer: Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar, and Thornaby
Explanation: The County Borough of Teesside, established in 1968, was formed by merging the existing county borough of Middlesbrough with the municipal boroughs of Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar, and Thornaby.
Which three county boroughs were abolished in 1965 due to the creation of Greater London?
Answer: East Ham, West Ham, and Croydon
Explanation: The county boroughs of East Ham, West Ham, and Croydon were abolished in 1965 as a direct consequence of the creation of Greater London.
What administrative structure replaced the county boroughs in England and Wales following the Local Government Act 1972?
Answer: Metropolitan districts and non-metropolitan districts under county councils.
Explanation: Following the Local Government Act 1972, the county boroughs in England and Wales were replaced by a system comprising metropolitan districts and non-metropolitan districts, operating under county councils.
In 1986, the abolition of metropolitan county councils led to metropolitan boroughs regaining a status similar to:
Answer: Former county boroughs
Explanation: The abolition of metropolitan county councils in 1986 resulted in metropolitan boroughs regaining an administrative status comparable to that of former county boroughs.
The County Borough of Warley was formed in 1966 by merging which entities?
Answer: Smethwick, Oldbury, and Rowley Regis
Explanation: The County Borough of Warley was established in 1966 through the amalgamation of Smethwick, Oldbury, and Rowley Regis.
In the Republic of Ireland, the term 'County Borough' was replaced by 'City' in 2001.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Local Government Act 2001 in the Republic of Ireland officially replaced the designation 'County Borough' with 'City'.
The term 'county borough' was abolished in the Republic of Ireland in 1986.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'county borough' was abolished in the Republic of Ireland in 2001, not 1986, with the enactment of the Local Government Act 2001.
Kilkenny was designated as a county borough in Ireland but later had its borough abolished in 2014.
Answer: False
Explanation: Kilkenny was never designated as a county borough in Ireland. While its borough status was abolished in 2014, it did not hold county borough status prior to this reform.
Belfast and Derry (Londonderry) were established as county boroughs in Northern Ireland by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898.
Answer: True
Explanation: The county boroughs of Belfast and Londonderry in Northern Ireland were established under the provisions of the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898.
County boroughs are still used for administrative purposes in Northern Ireland today.
Answer: False
Explanation: County boroughs are no longer used for administrative purposes in Northern Ireland; their administrative functions ceased following reforms in the early 1970s.
Although abolished for administration, Northern Ireland's former county boroughs are still recognized for lieutenancy purposes.
Answer: True
Explanation: While abolished for administrative purposes, former county boroughs in Northern Ireland continue to be recognized for lieutenancy, serving ceremonial functions.
The county boroughs of Cork, Dublin, Limerick, and Waterford became county boroughs in Ireland under the Local Government Act 2001.
Answer: False
Explanation: The county boroughs of Cork, Dublin, Limerick, and Waterford in Ireland were established under the Local Government (Ireland) Act of 1898, not the Local Government Act of 2001.
Galway was designated as a county borough in Ireland in 1986.
Answer: True
Explanation: Galway was designated as a county borough in the Republic of Ireland in 1986.
The Local Government Act 2001 in the Republic of Ireland replaced the term 'County Borough' with 'Metropolitan Area'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Local Government Act 2001 in the Republic of Ireland replaced the term 'County Borough' with 'City', not 'Metropolitan Area'.
The Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 led to the abolition of county boroughs in Northern Ireland, taking effect in 1973.
Answer: True
Explanation: The abolition of county boroughs in Northern Ireland, effective in 1973, was enacted through the Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.
The Local Government Act 1972 abolished county boroughs in Northern Ireland.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Local Government Act of 1972 abolished county boroughs in England and Wales. In Northern Ireland, abolition occurred under the Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.
What designation replaced 'County Borough' in the Republic of Ireland following the Local Government Act 2001?
Answer: City
Explanation: Following the Local Government Act 2001 in the Republic of Ireland, the designation 'County Borough' was replaced by 'City'.
Which of the following cities in the Republic of Ireland became a county borough in 1986?
Answer: Galway
Explanation: Galway was designated as a county borough in the Republic of Ireland in 1986.
The county boroughs of Belfast and Londonderry in Northern Ireland were created under which Act?
Answer: The Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898
Explanation: The county boroughs of Belfast and Londonderry in Northern Ireland were established under the provisions of the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898.
Which legislative act abolished county boroughs in Northern Ireland, with changes taking effect in 1973?
Answer: The Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971
Explanation: The abolition of county boroughs in Northern Ireland, effective in 1973, was enacted through the Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.
The term 'county borough' has been revived in Wales following the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 reintroduced the designation 'county borough' for certain unitary authorities in Wales.
In the 1990s, many former county boroughs were reformed as unitary authorities, restoring their administrative status.
Answer: True
Explanation: The reform in the 1990s that re-established many former county boroughs as single-tier administrative entities is known as the creation of unitary authorities.
In Wales, the title 'county borough' is officially recognized for unitary authorities, unlike in England.
Answer: True
Explanation: A unique aspect of the designation in Wales is that the title 'county borough' is officially recognized by Act of Parliament for its current unitary authorities, unlike in England.
In England, most former county boroughs are now either metropolitan boroughs or unitary authorities.
Answer: True
Explanation: In contemporary England, the administrative legacy of former county boroughs is largely represented by metropolitan boroughs and unitary authorities.
Which country reintroduced the term 'county borough' for certain unitary authorities through legislation in 1994?
Answer: Wales
Explanation: Wales reintroduced the term 'county borough' for certain unitary authorities through the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994.
The reform in the 1990s that restored many former county boroughs to a single-tier administrative structure is known as the creation of:
Answer: Unitary authorities
Explanation: The reform in the 1990s that re-established many former county boroughs as single-tier administrative entities is known as the creation of unitary authorities.
According to the source, what is unique about the designation 'county borough' in Wales compared to England regarding current unitary authorities?
Answer: The title 'county borough' is officially recognized by Act of Parliament for Welsh unitary authorities.
Explanation: A unique aspect of the designation in Wales is that the title 'county borough' is officially recognized by Act of Parliament for its current unitary authorities, unlike in England.