Secretary of State for International Development
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United Kingdom

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In the United Kingdom, the Secretary of State for International Development is a Cabinet minister responsible for promoting development overseas and for the Department for International Development, particularly in the third world. The post was created in 1997 when the Department for International Development was made independent of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

A separate Ministry of Overseas Development was established by Harold Wilson when he came to office in 1964. The first three holders of the office served in the Cabinet, but from August 29, 1967 the office was demoted. Under Edward Heath, the Ministry was incorporated with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on October 15, 1970. From June 10, 1975 to October 8, 1979 the Foreign Secretary served as Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Minister for Overseas Development in the cabinet, while the Minister for Overseas Development held the rank of Minister of State within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Minister of State had day-to-day responsibility. Under the Labour government of the 1970s, Reg Prentice sat in the Cabinet during his term.

Minister of Overseas Development

• Barbara Castle (October 18, 1964 - December 23, 1965)
• Anthony Greenwood (December 23, 1965 - August 11, 1966)
• Arthur Bottomley (August 11, 1966 - August 29, 1967)
• Reginald Prentice (August 29, 1967 - October 6, 1969)
• Judith Hart (October 6, 1969 - June 19, 1970)
• Richard Wood (June 23, 1970 - October 15, 1970)

Minister for Overseas Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

• Richard Wood (October 15, 1970 - March 4, 1974)
• Judith Hart (March 7, 1974 - June 10, 1975)
• Reginald Prentice (June 10, 1975 - December 21, 1976) (resigned)
• Frank Judd (December 21, 1976 - February 21, 1977)
• Judith Hart (February 21, 1977 - May 4, 1979)
• Neil Marten (May 6, 1979 - January 6, 1983)
• Tim Raison (January 6, 1983 - September 10, 1986)
• Chris Patten (September 10, 1986 - July 24, 1989)
• Lynda Chalker (July 24, 1989 - May 2, 1997) (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey from 1992)

Secretary of State for International Development

• Clare Short (May 3, 1997 - May 12, 2003) (resigned)
• Valerie Amos, Baroness Amos (May 12, 2003 - October 6, 2003)
• Hilary Benn (October 6, 2003 - June 27, 2007)
• Douglas Alexander (June 28, 2007 - Present)

v • d • e Secretary of State for International Development of the United Kingdom Minister of Overseas Development Barbara Castle · Anthony Greenwood · Arthur Bottomley · Reginald Prentice · Judith Hart · Richard Wood* · Judith Hart* · Reginald Prentice* · Frank Judd* · Judith Hart* · Neil Marten* · Tim Raison* · Chris Patten* · Lynda Chalker* Secretary of State for International Development Clare Short · Valerie Amos, Baroness Amos · Hilary Benn · Douglas Alexander * held office whilst it was combined with Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.