What is an Under-Secretary?

An Under-Secretary is a junior minister or official in a government department, who assists the Secretary of State or other senior officials. They are typically responsible for specific areas of policy or administration within the department, and may be involved in advising on legislation, implementing policies, and representing the department in public.

In some countries, an Under-Secretary may also be known as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary, meaning that they are a member of parliament and hold a junior ministerial position. In other cases, they may be a civil servant who works within the government department but does not have a seat in parliament.

The specific responsibilities of an Under-Secretary can vary depending on the country and the department they work in, but they are generally responsible for supporting the senior officials and helping to ensure the smooth operation of the department.