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Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland facts for kids

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United Kingdom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (Government in Scotland).svg
Official portrait of Kirsty McNeill MP crop 2.jpg
Incumbent
Kirsty McNeill
since 9 July 2024
Scotland Office
Appointer The Monarch
(on the advice of the Prime Minister)
Inaugural holder John Pratt
Formation 8 August 1919
Website Scotland Office

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland is an important job in the Government of the United Kingdom. Think of it like a helper or assistant minister. This person supports the main Secretary of State for Scotland. Their job is to help manage things related to Scotland within the UK government.

What is this Job?

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland is a junior minister. This means they are part of the government but work under a more senior minister. They help the Secretary of State for Scotland with their duties. This role is sometimes called the Deputy Secretary of State for Scotland.

A Look Back in Time

This job started a long time ago, in 1919. Back then, it was called the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health for Scotland. It focused on health matters in Scotland.

In 1926, the name changed to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland. This made the job cover more general topics, not just health.

Over the years, more of these helper roles were added. Sometimes there were two or even three Under-Secretaries. There was also a "Minister of State" role, which is another type of junior minister.

After 1999, Scotland got its own parliament. This is called "devolution." Because Scotland could now make more of its own decisions, the number of UK ministers for Scotland was reduced. Today, there are usually two Under-Secretaries who help the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Who Holds the Job Now?

The current Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland is Kirsty McNeill. She started her role on July 9, 2024.

Official portrait of Kirsty McNeill MP crop 2
Kirsty McNeill, the current Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.

First to Hold the Post

The very first person to hold this type of role was John Pratt. He became the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health for Scotland on August 8, 1919.

John Pratt
John Pratt, the first person to hold this role.

Images for kids

  • Walter Elliott MP

    Walter Elliot, who held the role multiple times.

  • Thomas Johnston

    Thomas Johnston.

  • David John Colville (cropped)

    John Colville.

  • Lord Dundee

    Henry Scrymgeour-Wedderburn.

  • George Buchanan

    George Buchanan.

  • James Henderson Stewart

    James Henderson Stewart.

  • Bruce Millan

    Bruce Millan.

  • George Younger

    George Younger.

  • Sir Teddy Taylor

    Sir Teddy Taylor.

  • Official portrait of Lord Hughes of Woodside crop 2

    Robert Hughes.

  • Malcolm Rifkind

    Malcolm Rifkind.

  • Official portrait of The Marquess of Lothian crop 2

    Michael Ancram.

  • Official portrait of Lord Lang of Monkton 2020 crop 2

    Ian Lang.

  • Official portrait of Lord Selkirk of Douglas crop 2, 2019

    James Douglas-Hamilton.

  • Official Portrait of Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, 2024

    Michael Forsyth.

  • Official portrait of Lord Strathclyde crop 2

    Thomas Galbraith, 2nd Baron Strathclyde.

  • Official portrait of The Earl of Lindsay crop 2

    James Lindsay-Bethune.

  • MalcolmChisholmMSP20110510

    Malcolm Chisholm.

  • Khalid Rahim and Gus Macdonald (14680104148) (Macdonald cropped)

    Gus Macdonald.

  • AnneMcGuireMPPortrait

    Anne McGuire.

  • David Cairns (cropped)

    David Cairns.

  • AnnMcKechinMP

    Ann McKechin.

  • Official portrait of Rt Hon David Mundell MP crop 2

    David Mundell.

  • Official portrait of Lord Dunlop crop 2

    Andrew Dunlop.

  • Official portrait of Lord Duncan of Springbank crop 2

    Ian Duncan.

  • Official portrait of Mr Robin Walker MP crop 2

    Robin Walker.

  • Official portrait of Colin Clark crop 2

    Colin Clark.

  • Official portrait of Douglas Ross MP crop 2

    Douglas Ross.

  • Official portrait of David Duguid MP crop 2

    David Duguid.

  • Official portrait of Iain Stewart MP crop 2

    Iain Stewart.

  • Official portrait of Lord Offord of Garvel, 2021

    Malcolm Offord.

  • Official portrait of John Lamont MP crop 2

    John Lamont.

  • Official portrait of Lord Cameron of Lochiel crop 2, 2024

    Donald Cameron.

See also

  • Deputy First Minister of Scotland
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