Secretary of State for the Colonies

Secretary of State for the Colonies
Longest serving
Joseph Chamberlain

29 June 1895–16 September 1903
Colonial Office
StyleThe Right Honourable
TypeSecretary of state
Member of
Reports toPrime Minister
NominatorPrime Minister
AppointerThe King
(on the advice of the Prime Minister)
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
Formation
  • 27 February 1768 (1st time)
  • 12 June 1854 (2nd time)
First holder
Final holder
Abolished
  • 8 March 1782 (1st time)
  • 1 August 1966 (2nd time)
Superseded byForeign Secretary
DeputyUnder-Secretary of State for the Colonies

The secretary of state for the colonies or colonial secretary was the Cabinet of the United Kingdom's minister in charge of managing the British Empire.

The colonial secretary never had responsibility for the provinces and princely states of India, which had its own secretary of state.

From 1768 until 1966, the secretary of state was supported by an under-secretary of state for the colonies (at times an under-secretary of state for war and the colonies), and latterly by a minister of state.