secretary/ minister

[mollykins]

in governement, whats the difference between being a secretary and minister for something. Is it one or the other or is there both for everything?

[ABerrant]

In the UK a Secretary of State is a Cabinet Minister in charge of a Government Department.

Ministers of State are junior to and responsible to their Secretaries of State. They tend not to sit in cabinet but may be members of a cabinet committee.

[mollykins]

aahhhh. . . . politics is confusing thanks for clearing that up.

[Mr Veritas]

Of course (to muddy the waters further! LOL)
A Permanent Secretary is the civil servant in charge of a government department, who (usually) stays in office despite a change of government.
A Minister is a politician appointed by the PM,who leaves office after a change of government(or often before!).

[mollykins]

hmm . . . i said politics was confusing. . .