Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids United KingdomOffice of the Permanent Secretary of the Admiralty |
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Flag of the Secretary of the Admiralty
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Royal Arms as used by Her Majesty's Government
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| Admiralty Department | |
| Style | The Right Honourable (Formal prefix) Second Secretary to the Admiralty |
| Member of | British Cabinet Board of Admiralty |
| Seat | Westminster, London |
| Appointer | The British Monarch on advice of the Prime Minister |
| Term length | No fixed term |
| Formation | 1702-1964 |
| First holder | George Clarke |
| Final holder | Clifford Jarrett |
The Permanent Secretary of the Admiralty was a very important job in the British Admiralty. The Admiralty was a government department in Great Britain. It was in charge of running the Royal Navy, which is the UK's navy.
The Permanent Secretary was like the main manager of the Admiralty's office. This office was first called the Admiralty Secretariat. Later, it became known as the Department of the Permanent Secretary. Even though this person wasn't a "Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty," they were part of the Board of Admiralty. This meant they attended all important meetings. This role existed for a long time, from 1702 until 1964.
Contents
How the Job Started: A Brief History
The role of Permanent Secretary grew over time. It started with assistants who helped the main Secretary of the Admiralty. These assistants were not always there at first. Sometimes they were called "joint secretary" or "deputy secretary."
Becoming a Regular Position
By 1756, these assistant roles became more regular. On January 13, 1783, the job officially got the title Second Secretary to the Admiralty.
Changes in the 1800s
In the 1800s, the "First Secretary of the Admiralty" usually became a member of the government. The "Second Secretary" was a civil servant, meaning they worked for the government but were not elected. To show this difference, the names of the jobs changed in 1869. The First Secretary became the Parliamentary Secretary of the Admiralty. The Second Secretary became the Permanent Secretary of the Admiralty.
End of the Role
In 1964, the Admiralty Department was closed down. Its duties were moved to a new department called the Ministry of Defence. At this point, the person holding the job became known as the Permanent Under Secretary of State for the Navy.
What the Permanent Secretary Did
The Permanent Secretary had important duties. They were mainly responsible for how different departments of the Royal Navy worked together. They also managed the office's organization.
Managing Money and Advice
A key part of their job was being the Secretary to the Board of Admiralty. This meant they had to carefully check all spending. They would advise the Board on how to save money whenever possible.
Who Held the Job
Many people held this important position over the years. The title of the job changed several times.
Assistant Secretary (Early 1700s)
- George Clarke: He was a joint secretary from 1702 to 1705.
Deputy Secretary (1705-1783)
This title was used for many years.
- Thomas Corbett: Served from 1728 to 1742.
- Philip Stephens: Held the role from 1759 to 1763.
Second Secretary (1783-1869)
The title "Second Secretary" was officially used starting in 1783.
- John Barrow: Served twice, first from 1804 and again from 1807.
Permanent Secretary (First Period: 1869-1877)
In 1869, the job was renamed Permanent Secretary of the Admiralty.
- Vernon Lushington: Held the position from 1869 to 1877.
This role was then stopped for a short time in 1877. Its duties were combined with another job.
A new job called Naval Secretary was created in 1872.
- Rear-Admiral Robert Hall: Served from 1872 to 1882.
This job was also stopped in 1882 when the Permanent Secretary role was brought back.
Permanent Secretary (Second Period: 1882-1964)
The Permanent Secretary job was re-established in May 1882.
- Sir Evan Macgregor: Served from 1884.
- Sir Graham Greene: Held the role from 1911 to 1917.
- Sir Oswyn Murray: Served from 1917 to 1936.
- Sir Henry Markham: Held the position from 1940 to 1946.
- Sir Clifford Jarrett: Was the last Permanent Secretary, serving from 1961 to 1964.
See also
- Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty
- Board of Admiralty
- Admiralty
Sources
- "Permanent Secretary to the Board of Admiralty." The Dreadnought Project.
