Nationalisation of Northern Rock In October 2008 the chairman Ron Sandler noted that there had been informal talks concerning the idea of the merger with the government, but there had been no subsequent discussion. Sandler did however add "It would not surprise me at some point if a closer look was taken at the method of managing loan books within government-owned banks". In March 2009 Alistair Darling said that he was keeping his options open during the "fast-moving" crisis in the banking industry, and thus not ruling out the possibility of a mortgage book merger between Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley. On 24
Government of Northern Ireland (1921–1972) the Parliament of Northern Ireland but were required to become members within six months. The "Irish Free State (Consequential Provisions) Act", which came into force at the end of 1922, replaced the Lord Lieutenant with a new Crown representative, the Governor of Northern Ireland. As in many Westminster-style systems, the "Government of Ireland Act 1920" did not explicitly provide for such an office, but in practice the Executive Committee was headed by a Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. In theory the Executive Committee was not answerable to the House of Commons but held their positions "during the pleasure of the