Assistant and Permanent Secretary 1805-70

This office was created in 1805. The Assistant Secretary was thereafter the senior permanent official of the Treasury, ranking immediately after the Joint Secretaries. Until 1816 he was also Law Clerk in which capacity his function was to assist in the preparation of bills for parliament and to report on certain questions of law. (fn. 1) In 1856 the Assistant Secretary was, in addition to his other duties, given specific responsibility for one of the divisions of business. (fn. 2) He was relieved of this in 1859. (fn. 3) In 1867 the duties of the office received a new definition and its title was changed to 'Permanent Secretary'. (fn. 4)

The salary scale attached to the office in 1805 was £2000 rising after three years to £2500. (fn. 5) In fact Harrison, the first holder of the office, received an increase to £2500 in 1807 and further increases to £3000 in 1809 and £3500 in 1815. (fn. 6) On Hill's appointment the salary was fixed at £2500. (fn. 7) In 1834 the original scale of £2000 to £2500 was re-established for future holders of the office. (fn. 8)

LIST OF APPOINTMENTS

Footnotes