Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs

The position of Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs was a British ministerial position, subordinate to that of Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, created in 1925 to deal with British relations with the Dominions – Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Newfoundland, and the Irish Free State.

In 1947 the office was replaced by the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations.

Under-Secretaries of State for Dominion Affairs, 1925-47

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Permanent Under-Secretaries of State for Dominion Affairs, 1925-47

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The post lasted as long as the office itself, from 1925 to 1947 with the last Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, Sir Eric Machtig, transferring in 1947 to become the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, jointly with A. Carter formerly of the India Office.

Name Entered office Left office
Sir Charles Davis 1925 1930
Sir Edward Harding 1930 1939
Sir Eric Machtig (acting) 1939 1940
Sir Cosmo Parkinson 1940 1940
Sir Eric Machtig 1940 1947


History of English and British government departments with responsibility for foreign affairs and those with responsibility for the colonies, dominions and the Commonwealth
Northern Department
1660–1782
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Southern Department
1660–1768
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Southern Department
1768–1782
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1782: diplomatic responsibilities transferred to new Foreign Office
Colonial Office
1768–1782
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Foreign Office
1782–1968
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Home Office
1782–1794
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War Office
1794–1801
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War and Colonial Office
1801–1854
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Colonial Office
1854–1925
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India Office
1858–1937
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Colonial Office
1925–1966
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Dominions Office
1925–1947
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India Office and Burma Office
1937–1947
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Commonwealth Relations Office
1947–1966
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Commonwealth Office
1966–1968
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office
1968–2020
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Since 2020
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