Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
From Free net encyclopedia
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (colloquially called the Foreign Secretary) is a member of the British Government responsible for relations with foreign countries, heading the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (often called simply the Foreign Office). The holder is a member of the Cabinet, and the position is considered one of the great offices of state.
This position came into existence in 1968 with the merger of the functions of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, and their associated departments, into a single Department of State.
Chevening is an official residence of the Secretary of State.
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Secretaries of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
- Michael Stewart (October 17, 1968 - June 19, 1970)
- Sir Alec Douglas-Home (June 20, 1970 - March 4, 1974)
- James Callaghan (March 5, 1974 - April 8, 1976)
- Anthony Crosland (April 8, 1976 - February 19, 1977) (died in office)
- Dr David Owen (February 22, 1977 - May 4, 1979)
- Lord Carrington (May 5, 1979 - April 5, 1982) (resigned)
- Francis Pym (April 6, 1982 - June 11, 1983)
- Sir Geoffrey Howe (June 11, 1983 - July 24, 1989)
- John Major (July 24, 1989 - October 26, 1989)
- Douglas Hurd (October 26, 1989 - July 5, 1995)
- Malcolm Rifkind (July 5, 1995 - May 2, 1997)
- Robin Cook (May 2, 1997 - June 8, 2001)
- Jack Straw (June 8, 2001 -)
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See also
- Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
- Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs
- Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations
- Secretary of State for the Colonies
- Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs
- Foreign minister
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