Highlight any five functions of the Secretary of State for the colonies in the colonial period.

Answer Details

The Secretary of State for the Colonies was the British Cabinet minister in London who was responsible for the administration of the colonies. He was the link between the colonial territories and the imperial government. Five of his functions are highlighted below.

1. Overall supervision of colonial administration: He was in charge of the Colonial Office and exercised general control over the government of all the colonies on behalf of the British Crown and Parliament.
2. Formulation of colonial policy: He initiated and directed the broad policies to be applied in the colonies and issued instructions to the Governors on how the territories were to be run.
3. Appointment and supervision of Governors and senior officials: He recommended the appointment of Governors and other senior colonial officers and supervised their conduct, receiving their reports and giving them directives.
4. Approval and review of colonial laws: He examined the ordinances passed in the colonies and could approve, amend or disallow them; his consent was required for important legislation.
5. Representation of colonial matters in the British Parliament: He answered questions and defended colonial policy and expenditure in Parliament, and served as the channel through which colonial affairs reached the imperial government.

He also controlled colonial finances by approving budgets and grants, and heard appeals and petitions from the colonies.