Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies facts for kids
The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies was an important job in the UK government. It was a junior role, meaning the person in this position worked under the main Secretary of State for the Colonies. From 1948, they also worked with a Minister of State. This job involved helping to manage the many colonies (territories controlled by the UK) around the world.
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What Was the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies?
The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies was a government official who helped the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Think of it like a team where the Secretary was the head coach, and the Under-Secretary was a key assistant coach. Their main job was to help oversee the administration and daily running of the British Empire's colonies. This included places like parts of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Early Days: 1768–1782
The role of Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies first started in 1768. At this time, the British Empire was growing, and managing its territories was a big task. However, this early version of the job didn't last very long.
In 1782, after the American colonies gained their independence, the office was closed down. Its duties were then given to another government department called the Home Secretary. Later, these responsibilities moved to the War Office, which was eventually renamed the War and Colonial Office.
The Role Returns: 1854–1966
The job of Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies was brought back in 1854. This happened when the War and Colonial Office was split into two separate departments: the War Office and the Colonial Office. This showed how important managing the colonies had become again.
From 1854 until 1966, many different people held the title of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. These officials played a key role in helping to govern the vast British Empire. They worked on policies and decisions that affected millions of people in countries far away.
Some well-known figures who held this position include Winston Churchill, who later became a famous Prime Minister during World War II.
The role of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies was finally ended in 1966. By this time, most of the British colonies had become independent countries. The remaining duties were then moved to a new office, the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs.
Other Important Roles
Besides the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, there were other important roles that helped manage the colonies:
Minister of State for the Colonies: 1948–1964
This was another senior position created in 1948. The Minister of State for the Colonies worked alongside the Secretary of State and the Under-Secretary. They helped to handle specific tasks and challenges related to the colonies, especially as many began moving towards independence after World War II. This role was also abolished in 1964 as the empire changed.
Permanent Under-Secretaries of State for the Colonies: 1825 and 1854–1966
Unlike the Parliamentary Under-Secretaries who were politicians, the Permanent Under-Secretaries were civil servants. This means they were professional government employees, not elected officials. They provided long-term advice and managed the daily operations of the Colonial Office. They were the experts who kept things running smoothly, no matter which political party was in power. This role also ended in 1966 when the Colonial Office was closed.
| Northern Department 1660–1782 Secretaries Undersecretaries |
Foreign Office 1782–1968 Secretaries Ministers Undersecretaries |
Foreign and Commonwealth Office 1968–2020 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office since 2020 Secretaries Ministers Undersecretaries |
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| Southern Department 1660–1768 Secretaries Undersecretaries |
Colonial Office 1768–1782 Secretaries Undersecretaries |
Home Office 1782–1794 Secretaries Undersecretaries |
War Office 1794–1801 Secretaries Undersecretaries |
War and Colonial Office 1801–1854 Secretaries Undersecretaries |
Colonial Office 1854–1925 Secretaries Undersecretaries |
Colonial Office 1925–1966 Secretaries Ministers Undersecretaries |
Commonwealth Office 1966–1968 Secretaries Ministers Undersecretaries |
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| Southern Department 1768–1782 Secretaries Undersecretaries |
Dominions Office 1925–1947 Secretaries Undersecretaries |
Commonwealth Relations Office 1947–1966 Secretaries Ministers Undersecretaries |
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| . | India Office 1858–1937 Secretaries Undersecretaries |
India Office and Burma Office 1937–1947 Secretaries Undersecretaries |
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