 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS  During WW2 the economy in Northern Ireland grew as shipbuilding, iron and steel works and linen industries all grew.  However by the mid to late 1950s the economy had stalled and began to decline.  This happened because traditional industries such as shipbuilding and textiles(linen) started to struggle and shrink in size.

 New orders for ships declined as people switched from ships to air travel. Throughout the world there was less demand and therefore less orders for new ships.  Throughout the world clothes production was switching from Linen to cotton.  Unemployment increased sharply in the late 50s and early 60s.

 The Unionist government and Unionist politicians encouraged employers to favour Protestants over Catholics where jobs became available.  In 1961 all the HALL COMMITTEE could come up with was advise that unemployment might be limited by encouraging emigration and the setting up of an Economic Advisory Council.

 In 1963 Brookeborough resigned and was replaced by O’Neill. He invited a Professor of Economics to produce a new plan to help grow the economy and jobs in the future.

 Attract new industries from abroad.  Create a new city by joining the towns of Lurgan and Portadown. (Craigavon)  Invest in growth centres – roads/transport and land for industrial development.  Massive road building programme – better infrastructure.  Build a second University.

 It did succeed to some extent and international companies like Michelin, Goodyear and Dupont set up in Northern Ireland.  However all these companies were located east of the river Bann and therefore did little to help the huge levels of unemployment in Catholic areas west of the Bann.