In the United Kingdom, a Secretary of State is a Cabinet Minister in charge of a Government Department (though not all departments are headed by a Secretary of State, e.g. HM Treasury is headed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. There is in theory only one office of Secretary of State, and legislation generally refers only to "the Secretary of State". In practice, there are a number of Secretaries of State, each of whom can exercise the functions of the Secretary of State, and formally titled Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for .... These positions can be created without primary legislation. In the Politics of the United Kingdom, the Cabinet is a formal body comprised of government officials chosen by the Prime Minister. ... A minister or a secretary is a politician who heads a government ministry or department (e. ... The Government of the United Kingdom contains a number of Ministries, known in the United Kingdom as Government Departments. ... The new eastern entrance to HM Treasury HM Treasury (Her/His Majestys Treasury) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for and putting into effect the UK Governments financial and economic policy. ... The Rt. ...

History

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. Elizabeth I, (7 September 1533–23 March 1603) was Queen of England, Queen of France (in name only), and Queen of Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. ... Events January 7 - French troops led by Francis, Duke of Guise take Calais, the last continental possession of England July 13 - Battle of Gravelines: In France, Spanish forces led by Count Lamoral of Egmont defeat the French forces of Marshal Paul des Thermes at Gravelines. ... King James I of England/VII of Scotland, the first monarch to rule the Kingdoms of England and Scotland at the same time Events March - Samuel de Champlain, French explorer, sails to Canada March 24 - Elizabeth I of England dies and is succeeded by her cousin King James I of... A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, especially in a monarchy. ... Alternate meanings in cabinet (disambiguation) A Cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. ... // Events A high-powered conspiracy of notables, the Immortal Seven, invite William and Mary to depose James II of England. ...

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. Owing to the increase of business consequent upon the Union with Scotland, a third Secretary gained appointment in 1708, but, with a vacancy occurring in this office in 1746, the third Secretaryship disappeared until 1768, when a newly re-instituted Third Secretary began to take charge of the increasing colonial administrative work. In 1782 the office was again abolished, and the charge of the colonies transferred to the Home Secretary; but owing to the war of the First Coalition with France in 1794 a third Secretary re-appeared to superintend the activities of the War Department, and seven years later the colonial business became attached to his Department. In 1854 a fourth Secretary of State gained the exclusive charge of the War Department, and in 1858 a fifth Secretary (for India) began duties. Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547) was King of England and Lord of Ireland (later King of Ireland) from 22 April 1509 until his death. ... 1509 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Events January 16 - Grand Duke Ivan IV of Muscovy becomes the first Tsar of Russia. ... The Acts of Union were twin Acts of Parliament passed in 1707 (taking effect on 26 March) by the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland. ... The Secretary of State for Scotland (Rùnaire Stàite na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is the chief minister in the government of the United Kingdom with responsibilites for Scotland, at the head of the Scotland Office (formerly The Scottish Office). ... // Events March 23 - James Francis Edward Stuart lands at the Firth of Forth July 1 - Tewoflos becomes Emperor of Ethiopia September 28 - Peter the Great defeats the Swedes at the Battle of Lesnaya Kandahar conquered by Mir Wais In Masuria one third of the population die during the plague J... // Events Catharine de Ricci (born 1522) canonized. ... 1768 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... 1782 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The Secretary of State for the Home Department, known as the Home Secretary, is the chief United Kingdom government minister responsible for law and order (except in Scotland). ... The name First Coalition (1793–1797) designates the first major concerted effort of multiple European powers to contain Revolutionary France. ... 1794 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Old War Office Building, Whitehall, London - the former location of the War Office The War Office was a former department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1963, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence. ... The Secretary of State for the Colonies or Colonial Secretary was the British Cabinet official in charge of managing the various British colonies. ... 1854 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Principal Secretary of State (c. 1253–1539)

• John Maunsell 1253
• John de Benstede 1299
• William de Melton 1308
• Robert Braybrooke 1379
• John Profit (1402–1412)
• John Stone (1415–c. 1420)
• William Alnwick (c. 1420–c. 1422)
• William Hayton (?–1432)
• Thomas Beckington (1439–1443)
• Thomas Manning (1460–1464)
• William Hatcliffe (1464–1480)
• Oliver King (1480–1483)
• John Kendal (1483–1485)
• Richard Fox (1485–1487)
• Oliver King (1487–1492) (probably)
• Thomas Routhall (1500–1516)
• Richard Pace (1516–1526)
• William Knight (1526–1528)
• Stephen Gardiner (1528–1531)
• Thomas Cromwell (1533–1536)
• Thomas Wriothesley (1536 – January 1544)

For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... Events May 30 - In Florida, Hernando de Soto lands at Tampa Bay with 600 soldiers with the goal to find gold. ... Sir John Maunsell (c. ... Sir John de Benstede was a prominent member of the English royal household in the late 13th and early 14th century. ... William of Alnwick (c. ... Thomas Beckington (c. ... Oliver King was the bishop of Bath who organised the restoration of Bath Abbey after 1500. ... Richard Fox (c. ... Oliver King was the bishop of Bath who organised the restoration of Bath Abbey after 1500. ... Richard Pace (c. ... The secretary of Henry VIII of England. ... Stephen Gardiner (c. ... Thomas Cromwell: detail from a portrait by Hans Holbein, 1532-3 Thomas Cromwell, 1st Earl of Essex ( 1485 - July 28, 1540) was an English statesman, one of the most important political figures of the reign of Henry VIII of England. ... Thomas Wriothesley (1505 - July 30, 1550) was a politician of the Tudor period, and was created Earl of Southampton in 1547. ...

Two Secretaries of State, 1539–1668

• Sir Ralph Sadler (April 1540 – April 23, 1543)
• Sir William Paulet (April 23, 1543 – April 1548)
• Sir William Petre (January 1544 – March 1557)
• Sir Thomas Smith (April 17, 1548 – October 15, 1549)
• Nicholas Wotton (October 15, 1549 – September 5, 1550)
• Sir William Cecil (September 5, 1550 – July 1553)
• Sir John Cheke (served as a third Secretary of State June 1553 – July 1553)
• Sir John Bourne (July 1553 – April 1558)
• John Boxall (March 1557 – November 1558)
• Sir William Cecil (November 1558 – July 13, 1572)
• Sir Thomas Smith (July 13, 1572 – August 12, 1577)
• Sir Francis Walsingham (December 1573 – April 1590)
• Thomas Wilson (November 12, 1577 – June 16, 1581)
• William Davison (September 1586 – February 1587)
• Sir Robert Cecil (July 5, 1590 – May 24, 1612)
• John Herbert (May 10, 1600 – July 9, 1617)
• Sir Ralph Winwood (March 29, 1614 – October 27, 1617)
• Sir Thomas Lake (January 3, 1616 – February 16, 1619)
• Sir Robert Naunton (January 8, 1618 – January 14, 1623)
• Sir George Calvert (February 16, 1619 – January 1625)
• Sir Edward Conway (January 14, 1623 – December 14, 1628)
• Sir Albertus Morton (February 9, 1625 – September 6, 1625)
• Sir John Coke (September 9, 1625 – February 3, 1640)
• Dudley Carleton, 1st Viscount Dorchester (December 14, 1628 – February 15, 1632)
• Sir Francis Windebank (June 15, 1632 – December 1640)
• Sir Henry Vane (February 3, 1640 – December 1641)
• Sir Edward Nicholas (November 27, 1641 – 1646 when he left England; he was reappointed by King Charles II September 1654 – October 2, 1662)
• Lucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland (January 8, 1642 – September 20, 1643)
• George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol (September 28, 1643 – 1645)

Events May 30 - In Florida, Hernando de Soto lands at Tampa Bay with 600 soldiers with the goal to find gold. ... // Events January - The Triple Alliance of 1668 is formed. ... Sir Ralph Sadler (1507 - 30 March 1587) was an English statesman of the 16th century, and served as a Secretary of State for King Henry VIII. Sadler was born in Hackney, Middlesex to a minor official in the service of the Marquess of Dorset and Sir Edward Belknap. ... April 23 is the 113th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (114th in leap years). ... // Events February 21 - Battle of Wayna Daga - A combined army of Ethiopian and Portuguese troops defeat the armies of Adal led by Ahmed Gragn. ... Sir William Paulet (c. ... April 23 is the 113th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (114th in leap years). ... // Events February 21 - Battle of Wayna Daga - A combined army of Ethiopian and Portuguese troops defeat the armies of Adal led by Ahmed Gragn. ... William Petre was born in 1505 and educated at Exeter College, Oxford. ... Sir Thomas Smith (December 23, 1513 - August 12, 1577), was an English scholar and diplomat. ... April 17 is the 107th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (108th in leap years). ... Events Mary I of Scotland sent to France Births September 2 - Vincenzo Scamozzi, Italian architect (died 1616) September 29 - William V, Duke of Bavaria (died 1626) Francesco Andreini, Italian actor (died 1624) Giordano Bruno, Italian philosopher, astronomer, and occultist (burned at the stake) 1600 (died 1600) Honda Tadakatsu, Japanese general... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years). ... Events July - Ketts Rebellion Francis Xavier arrives in Japan. ... Nicholas Wotton (c. ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years). ... Events July - Ketts Rebellion Francis Xavier arrives in Japan. ... September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ... Events February 7 - Julius III becomes Pope. ... William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (13 September 1521–4 August 1598), was an English politician, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign. ... September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ... Events February 7 - Julius III becomes Pope. ... Sir John Cheke (16 June 1514 - 13 September 1557) was an English classical scholar and statesman, notable as the first Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge. ... John Bourne was born in Staffordshire in 1943 and is an artist. ... William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (13 September 1521–4 August 1598), was an English politician, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign. ... July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... Events January 16 - Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk is tried for treason for his part in the Ridolfi plot to restore Catholicism in England. ... Sir Thomas Smith (December 23, 1513 - August 12, 1577), was an English scholar and diplomat. ... July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... Events January 16 - Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk is tried for treason for his part in the Ridolfi plot to restore Catholicism in England. ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Events March 17 - formation of the Cathay Company to send Martin Frobisher back to the New World for more gold May 28 - Publication of the Bergen Book, better known as the Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord, one of the Lutheran confessional writings. ... Francis Walsingham by John de Critz (detail) Sir Francis Walsingham (c. ... Thomas Wilson is the name of a number of different people: Thomas Wilson (Virginia) (1765–1826), U.S. Representative from Virginia Thomas Wilson (Minnesota) (1827–1910), U.S. Representative from Minnesota Thomas Webber Wilson (1893–1948), U.S. Representative from Mississippi Thomas Wilson (composer) (1927–2001), Scottish composer Thomas Wilson... November 12 is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 49 days remaining. ... Events March 17 - formation of the Cathay Company to send Martin Frobisher back to the New World for more gold May 28 - Publication of the Bergen Book, better known as the Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord, one of the Lutheran confessional writings. ... June 16 is the 167th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (168th in leap years), with 198 days remaining. ... Events January 16 - English Parliament outlaws Roman Catholicism April 4 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. July 26 - The Northern Netherlands proclaim their independence from Spain in the Oath of Abjuration. ... William Davison (c. ... </TBold textABLE> The Right HonourableRobert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, [[Order of the Garter|KG]], PC (1 June 1563–24 May 1612), son of William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley and half-brother of Thomas Cecil, 1st Earl of Exeter, statesman, spymaster and minister to Queen Elizabeth I and King James... July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ... Events March 14 - Battle of Ivry - Henry IV of France again defeats the forces of the Catholic League under the Duc de Mayenne. ... May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... Events January 20 - Mathias becomes Holy Roman Emperor. ... May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... 1597 1598 1599 - 1600 - 1601 1602 1603 |- | align=center colspan=2 | Decades: 1570s 1580s 1590s - 1600s - 1610s 1620s 1630s |- | align=center | Centuries: 15th century - 16th century - 17th century |} // Events January January 1 - Scotland adopts January 1st as being New Years Day February February 17 - Giordano Bruno burned at the... July 9 is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 175 days remaining. ... Events Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Ahmed I (1603-1617) to Mustafa I (1617-1623). ... Sir Ralph Winwood (c. ... March 29 is the 88th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (89th in Leap years). ... Events April 5 - In Virginia, Native American Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe. ... October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. ... Events Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Ahmed I (1603-1617) to Mustafa I (1617-1623). ... Thomas Lake (1567-17 September 1630) was Secretary of State to King James I. He was a member of Parliament in 1604, 1614, 1625 and 1626. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events October 25 — Dirk Hartog makes the second recorded landfall by a European on Australian soil, at an island off the Western Australian coast Pocahontas arrives in England War between Venice and Austria Collegium Musicum founded in Prague Nicolaus Copernicus De revolutionibus is placed on the Index of Forbidden Books... February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Events May 13 - Dutch statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt is executed in The Hague after having been accused of treason. ... Sir Robert Naunton (1563 - March 27, 1635), was an English politician and writer. ... January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events March 8 - Johannes Kepler discovers the third law of planetary motion (he soon rejects the idea after some initial calculations were made but on May 15 confirms the discovery). ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events August 6 - Pope Urban VIII is elected to the Papacy. ... George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore (1580-1632) was an English politician and coloniser. ... February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Events May 13 - Dutch statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt is executed in The Hague after having been accused of treason. ... Events March 27 - Prince Charles Stuart becomes King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events August 6 - Pope Urban VIII is elected to the Papacy. ... December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Events March 1 - writs were issued in February 1628 by Charles I of England that every county in England (not just seaport towns) pay ship tax by this date. ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Events March 27 - Prince Charles Stuart becomes King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... This article is about the day of the year. ... Events March 27 - Prince Charles Stuart becomes King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... Sir John Coke (March 5, 1563 - September 8, 1644), English politician, was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. ... September 9 is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years). ... Events March 27 - Prince Charles Stuart becomes King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland. ... February 3 is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ... December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Events March 1 - writs were issued in February 1628 by Charles I of England that every county in England (not just seaport towns) pay ship tax by this date. ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... See also: 1632 (novel) Events February 22 - Galileos Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems is published July 23 - 300 colonists for New France depart Dieppe November 8 - Wladyslaw IV Waza elected king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth after Zygmunt III Waza death November 16 - Battle of Lützen... Sir Francis Windebank (1582 - September 1, 1646) was an English politician. ... June 15 is the 166th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (167th in leap years), with 199 days remaining. ... See also: 1632 (novel) Events February 22 - Galileos Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems is published July 23 - 300 colonists for New France depart Dieppe November 8 - Wladyslaw IV Waza elected king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth after Zygmunt III Waza death November 16 - Battle of Lützen... Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ... February 3 is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ... Events The Long Parliament passes a series of legislation designed to contain Charles Is absolutist tendencies. ... Sir Edward Nicholas (4 April 1593-1669), English statesman, was the eldest son of John Nicholas, a member of an old Wiltshire family. ... November 27 is the 331st day (332nd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Events The Long Parliament passes a series of legislation designed to contain Charles Is absolutist tendencies. ... // Events The Westminster Confession of Faith Ongoing events Wars of the Three Kingdoms, including the English Civil War (1642-1649) Births February 4 - Hans Erasmus Aßmann, Freiherr von Abschatz, German statesman and poet (d. ... Charles II or The Merry Monarch (29 May 1630–6 February 1685) was the King of England, King of Scots, and King of Ireland from 30 January 1649 (de jure) or 29 May 1660 (de facto) until his death. ... Events April 5 - Signing of the Treaty of Westminster, ending the First Anglo-Dutch War. ... October 2 is the 275th day (276th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 90 days remaining. ... Events February 1 - The Chinese pirate Koxinga seizes the island of Taiwan after a nine-month siege. ... Lucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland (c. ... January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events January 4 - Charles I attempts to arrest five leading members of the Long Parliament, but they escape. ... September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years). ... // Events January 21 - Abel Tasman discovers Tonga February 6 - Abel Tasman discovers the Fiji islands. ... George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol (<22 February 1612 - 20 May 1677), eldest son of the 1st earl. ... September 28 is the 271st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (272nd in leap years). ... // Events January 21 - Abel Tasman discovers Tonga February 6 - Abel Tasman discovers the Fiji islands. ... // Events January 10 - Archbishop Laud executed on Tower Hill, London. ...

Current positions

• Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (usually referred to as the Foreign Secretary) (1782; took current name 1968)
• Secretary of State for the Home Department (usually referred to as the Home Secretary) (1782)
• Secretary of State for Scotland (1926)
• Secretary of State for Defence (1964)
• Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1964; took current name 2001)
• Secretary of State for Wales (1964)
• Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1968; took current name 2001)
• Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1970; divided 1974–1983)
• Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1972)
• Secretary of State for Transport (1976; name not used 1979–1981; subsumed in other Departments 1997–2002)
• Secretary of State for Health (1988)
• Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1992; took current name 1997)
• Secretary of State for International Development (1997)
• Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2001)
• Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (2003)

The honorific title First Secretary of State is awarded occasionally, and has been held by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott since 2001. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (colloquially called the Foreign Secretary) is a member of the British Government responsible for relations with foreign countries, heading the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (often called simply the Foreign Office). ... The title of Foreign Secretary has been traditionally used to refer to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. ... 1782 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... The Secretary of State for the Home Department (the Home Secretary) is the chief United Kingdom government minister responsible for law and order in England and Wales; his or her remit includes policing, the criminal justice system, the prison service, internal security, and matters of citizenship and immigration. ... The Secretary of State for the Home Department, known as the Home Secretary, is the chief United Kingdom government minister responsible for law and order (except in Scotland). ... 1782 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The Secretary of State for Scotland (Rùnaire Stàite na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is the chief minister in the government of the United Kingdom with responsibilites for Scotland, at the head of the Scotland Office (formerly The Scottish Office). ... 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Secretary of State for Defence is the senior United Kingdom government minister in charge of the Ministry of Defence. ... For the Nintendo 64 emulator, see 1964 (Emulator). ... The Secretary of State for Education and Skills is the chief minister of the Department for Education and Skills in the United Kingdom government. ... For the Nintendo 64 emulator, see 1964 (Emulator). ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... The post of Secretary of State for Wales came into existence in October of 1964, the first incumbent being Jim Griffiths, MP for Llanelli. ... For the Nintendo 64 emulator, see 1964 (Emulator). ... The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is a position in the UK cabinet, responsible for the Department for Work and Pensions. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is a cabinet position in the United Kingdom government. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1974 calendar). ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is the British cabinet minister who has responsibility for the government of Northern Ireland. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1972 calendar). ... The Secretary of State for Transport is the member of the cabinet responsible for the British Department for Transport. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1976 calendar). ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Cusco album, see 2002 (album). ... Minister of Health redirects here. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is a UK cabinet position with responsibility for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In the United Kingdom, the Secretary of State for International Development is a Cabinet minister responsible for promoting development overseas, particularly in the third world. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is a UK cabinet-level position in charge of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the succesor to the positions of Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Secretary of State for the Environment. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs is a United Kingdom cabinet position. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... First Secretary of State is a title within the British government, principally regarded as purely honorific, currently held by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott. ... The office of Deputy Prime Minister is one that has only existed occasionally in the history of the United Kingdom. ... Rt. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

Obsolete positions

• Secretary of State for the Northern Department (1660–1782)
• Secretary of State for the Southern Department (1660–1782)
• Secretary of State for the Colonies (1768–1782 and 1854–1966; merged into Commonwealth Affairs)
• Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1782–1968; merged into Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
• Secretary of State for War (1794–1801 and 1854–1964; merged into Defence)
• Secretary of State for War and the Colonies (1801–1854; divided)
• Secretary of State for India (1858–1947; from 1935 known as India and Burma)
• Secretary of State for Air (1918–1964; merged into Defence)
• Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1925–1947; merged into Commonwealth Relations)
• Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1947–1966; merged into Commonwealth Affairs)
• Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development (1963–1964)
• Secretary of State for Education and Science (1964–1992; renamed Education)
• Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (1964–1969)
• Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (1966–1968; merged into Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
• Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1968–1970; renamed Employment)
• Secretary of State for Social Services (1968–1988; divided)
• Secretary of State for the Environment (1970–1997; renamed Environment, Transport and the Regions)
• Secretary of State for Employment (1970–1995; merged into Education and Employment)
• Secretary of State for Energy (1974–1992; merged into Trade and Industry)
• Secretary of State for Trade (1974–1983; merged into Trade and Industry)
• Secretary of State for Industry (1974–1983; merged into Trade and Industry)
• Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection (1974–1979)
• Secretary of State for Social Security (1988–2001; renamed Work and Pensions)
• Secretary of State for Education (1992–1995; merged into Education and Employment)
• Secretary of State for National Heritage (1992–1997; renamed Culture, Media and Sport)
• Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1995–2001; merged Education and Skills)
• Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1997–2001; divided)