Q & A

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,