Of all the British ministerial positions that no longer exist, which were the most important?
To start with, how about the postmaster-general? The holder of this position, which originated in the 17th century, was responsible for all postal communications, and later telegraphs. Maintaining modern and efficient communications was an important part of the role, but so was maintaining the government’s ability to control (and read!) them.
The British empire saw the creation of numerous cabinet-level offices which don’t exist anymore, though the Board of Trade, whose work often related to colonial commerce, still exists as part of the Department of International Trade.
Most now-defunct ministries were 20th-century creations, many formed to tackle the demands of the two world wars. The Ministry of Supply (1939–59) was sort of responsible for providing kit for the armed forces: ‘sort of’, thanks to intractable Whitehall and inter-service rivalries. The MoS was also responsible for military research and development and, later, Britain’s nuclear weapons programme. The Air Ministry (1918–64) was very influential, using government money and regulation to direct the course of British military (and civil) aviation through a crucial period. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information produced publicity and propaganda for both domestic (“keep calm and carry on”) and overseas consumption.
Some readers may also remember the career of Denis Howell, appointed minister for drought in the arid summer of 1976. Howell had considerable powers to restrict water use, and exhorted people to use less, telling reporters he did his bit by taking baths with his wife Brenda. But within days of his appointment, the heavens opened. ‘Deluge Denis’ was then made minister for floods. Alas, there never were formal ministries for drought or floods; Howell’s official cabinet position was actually minister for sport and recreation.
Eugene Byrne, author and journalist specialising in history