EMERGENCY POWERS (DEFENCE) ACT 1939

The 'Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939' was emergency legislation passed just prior to the outbreak of World War II by the Parliament of the United Kingdom to enable the British Government to take up emergency powers to prosecute the war effectively. It contained clauses giving the government wide powers to create Defence Regulations which regulated almost every aspect of everyday life in the country.
The Emergency Powers Act 1939 was passed in reaction to the Nazi Soviet Pact of 22 August 1939 and provided Neville Chamberlain powers from 24 August 1939.
When evaluating the Emergency Powers Act of 1939 it is important to note it was passed whilst Parliament was adjourned. Parliament had been adjourned by Neville Chamberlain between for a period between 4 August and 3 October 1939 despite mass opposition fearful of another 'Munich' by the House of Commons. The act is seen by some as a rather paranoid reaction, laws were introduced like not being able to loiter on railway bridges and not being permitted to hang washing out in the evenings.