FROM THE ARCHIVES

25 YEARS AGO Supporters of Mr Arthur Scargill have captured a working majority on the National Union of Mineworkers’ national executive, putting him firmly back in control. The result comes on top of last week’s collapse of court proceedings against him and general secretary Peter Heathfield for allegedly failing to keep accurate accounts, and the £500,000 out-ofcourt settlement by South Yorkshire Police to 39 miners injured at Orgreave during the 1984-5 pit strike. 50 YEARS AGO One of the biggest changes of service on Britain’s railways begins on Monday when St Enoch Station closes and all trains are transferred to Central Station. To explain the reasons for the closure, British Railways have issued a brochure entitles“OutofthePast…aPresent for the Future,” which emphasises that there is now no longer a need for four main-line stations in the city centre. Buchanan Street Station is scheduled for closure on November 7. 100 YEARS AGO The Military Service Act, under which all unattested married men of military age are “deemed to have been duly enlisted,” comes into force today. The closing of the group systemrecentlyendedthemethod of voluntary recruiting for the period of the war, and from today onwards the ranks of the fighting unitsofthecountrywillbe reinforced by the gradual absorption of unattested men who come within the sphere of the Act, and later by the inclusion of those who on attaining the age of 18 become liable for military training. 150 YEARS AGO It appears from a telegram received from Madrid that two regiments of horse and foot artillery revolted in the barracks of that city on Friday last, but, after an obstinate resistance, the insurgent soldiers were overpowered, and 600 of them made prisoners.