16-666: The Colonial Land and Emigration Commission ( CLEC ), also known as the Colonial Land and Emigration Board , was a British government authority under the supervision of the Secretary of State for the Colonies that facilitated emigration within the British Empire . Established by a formal commission from Queen Victoria on 14 January 1840, the commission took over the responsibilities of two existing government offices,
32-719: A further responsibility of the Colonial Office in the aftermath of the First World War . In 1925, part of the Colonial Office was separated out as the Dominions Office , with its own secretary of state . The new office was responsible for dealing with the Dominions together with a small number of other territories (most notably Southern Rhodesia ). In the twenty years following the end of
48-556: A number of territories with the status of " protectorate ". The ministerial responsibility for these territories was initially held by the Foreign Secretary . By the early years of the twentieth century the responsibility for each of the protectorate territories had been transferred to the colonial secretary as well. The League of Nations mandated territories acquired as a result of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 became
64-676: The South Australian Colonization Commission , and the Agent-General for Emigration . In 1837 Thomas Frederick Elliot (1808–1880) had been appointed to the latter post, and he became a member of the new body. Most immigrants it assisted settled in the settler colonies of New South Wales , Victoria , and South Australia , with smaller numbers settling in British colonies in New Zealand,
80-638: The Catholic and Muslim states of Europe , as well as being jointly responsible for domestic affairs with the Secretary of State for the Northern Department . The Colonial Secretary position was first created in 1768 to deal with the increasingly troublesome North American colonies, following passage of the Townsend Acts . Joint responsibility between the secretary and board first continued at this time, but subsequent diminution of
96-596: The Falkland Islands , in parts of Australia, and South Africa (the Cape of Good Hope ). The commission issued reports showing total numbers of immigrants to various colonies, which were published in newspapers, and also published the Colonization Circular from at least 1843 to 1870. In 1852, shortly after qualifying, Irish surgeon Andrew Sexton Gray was appointed as a surgeon-superintendent for
112-767: The Second World War , much of the British Empire was dismantled as its various territories gained independence. In consequence, the Colonial Office was merged in 1966 with the Commonwealth Relations Office (which until 1947 had been the Dominions Office) to form the Commonwealth Office , while ministerial responsibility was transferred to the secretary of state for Commonwealth affairs (previously known as
128-753: The secretary of state for Commonwealth relations ). In 1968, the Commonwealth Office was subsumed into the Foreign Office, which was renamed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Sometimes referred to as Secretary of State for the American Colonies. Office abolished in 1782 after the loss of the American Colonies. Responsibility for the colonies held by: Following the British Nationality Act 1981 ,
144-647: The Colonies in the years between 1782 and 1854 included : Following the Treaty of Paris 1783 , a new board, named the Committee of Council on Trade and Plantations (later known as 'the First Committee') was established under William Pitt the Younger , by an Order in Council in 1784. In 1794, a new office was created for Henry Dundas – the secretary of state for war , which now took responsibility for
160-421: The Colonies. The office was renamed the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies in 1801. In 1854, military reforms led to the colonial and military responsibilities of this secretary of state being split into two separate offices, with Sir George Grey becoming the first secretary of state for the colonies under the new arrangement. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, Britain gained control over
176-608: The board's status let it to became an adjunct to the new secretary's department. Following the loss of the American colonies, both the board and the short-lived secretaryship were dismissed by the king on 2 May 1782; both were abolished later by the Civil List and Secret Service Money Act 1782 (22 Geo. 3, c 82). Following this, colonial duties were given to the Home Secretary , then Lord Sydney . Responsibility for
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#1732771924600192-506: The commission, which involved accompanying migrants on assisted passage schemes as the ship's chief medical officer, as well as maintaining their welfare and discipline. From 1856 the commission was known generally known as the "Emigration Commission", after the British Government granted Australian colonies control of land sales within their territories. However, technically the full name remained in force until its abolition. It
208-514: The expenditure in the King's household was transferred to the Treasury , and branches of which were regulated. No pension over £300 was to be granted if the total pension list amounted to over £90,000. Thereafter, no pension was to be above £1,300 unless it was granted to members of the royal family or granted by Parliament. Secret service money employed domestically was similarly limited. A section of
224-505: The secretary of state was supported by an under-secretary of state for the colonies (at times an under-secretary of state for war and the colonies ), and latterly by a minister of state . Colonial responsibilities were previously held jointly by the lords of trade and plantations (board) and the secretary of state for the Southern Department , who was responsible for Ireland , the American colonies, and relations with
240-500: The term "colony" ceased to be used; Britain's rule over Hong Kong , the last significant colony, ceased in 1997. Britain retains certain overseas territories . A few title holders were born in colonies under their portfolio and some beyond: Civil List and Secret Service Money Act 1782 The Civil List and Secret Service Money Act 1782 ( 22 Geo. 3 . c. 82) was an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain . The power over
256-680: Was formally abolished on 31 March 1878, when its staff and remaining functions were transferred to the Colonial Office . Secretary of State for the Colonies The secretary of state for the colonies or colonial secretary was the Cabinet of the United Kingdom 's minister in charge of managing the British Empire . The colonial secretary never had responsibility for the provinces and princely states of India , which had its own secretary of state . From 1768 until 1966,
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