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The government first took control of the coal mining industry during World War I for four years (1917-1921). After the War it returned to private ownership. It was also taken into government control during World War II. On 1^st January 1947 the coal industry became wholly nationalised under the body of the National Coal Board. As there were still vast reserves of high quality coal to exploit, many modernisation projects took place in the North Staffordshire coalfields. A larger share of the capital investment had been given than any other coalfield of similar size. The NCB was dissolved in 1994.