Secretary of State

In several countries, Secretary of State is a senior government position. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the government.

United Kingdom

Main article: Secretary of State (United Kingdom)

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In the United Kingdom, a Secretary of State is a senior Cabinet Minister in charge of a Government Department. Secretary of State positions can be created without primary legislation; and legislation refers to "Secretary of State", which is a notional position split between all the Secretaries of State depending upon the functions.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Cabinet - Minister - Government Department

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The ancient English monarchs always had in attendance a learned ecclesiastic, known at first as their clerk, and afterwards as "Secretary", who conducted the royal correspondence; but it was not until the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (reigned 1558–1603) that these functionaries gained the title "Secretaries of State". Upon the direction of public affairs passing from the Privy Council to the Cabinet after 1688 the Secretaries of State began to assume those high duties which now render their office one of the most influential of an administration.

Related Topics:
Elizabeth I - 1558 - 1603 - Privy Council - Cabinet - 1688

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Until the time of Henry VIII (reigned 1509–1547), monarchs generally had only one Secretary of State, but at the end of his reign a second Principal Secretary appeared. The number of Secretaries gradually increased over the years. There are currently thirteen people heading fifteen ministries as Secretaries of State. Since devolution the Secretaries of State for the three devolved nations have combined their office with another. As of June 2005 the Wales and the Northern Ireland offices were linked, as was the Scotland Office and the Department for Trade and Industry. This linking can change as the Prime Minister desires. In addition the Deputy Prime Minister holds the title "First Secretary of State".

Related Topics:
Henry VIII - 1509 - 1547 - First Secretary of State

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Current positions

• Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs
• Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
• Secretary of State for Defence
• Secretary of State for Education and Skills
• Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (usually called the Foreign Secretary)
• Secretary of State for Health
• Secretary of State for the Home Department (usually called the Home Secretary)
• Secretary of State for International Development
• Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
• Secretary of State for Scotland
• Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
• Secretary of State for Transport
• Secretary of State for Wales
• Secretary of State for Work and Pensions