Colonial Office

Prior to 1768, responsibility for the affairs of the British colonies was part of the duties of the Secretary of State for the Southern Department and a committee of the Privy Council known as the Board of Trade and Plantations.

[1] Separately, the Indian Department was responsible for relations with indigenous nations in North America from 1755 onwards.

Responsibility for the remaining colonies was given to the Home Office, and subsequently in 1801 transferred to the War Department.

Other, more informal protectorates, such as the Khedivate of Egypt, fell under the authority of the Foreign Office.

From 1925 onwards the UK ministry included a separate Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.

In addition to the official List published by the Colonial Office, an edited version was also produced by Waterlow and Sons.

But it is still edited by Sir W. H. Mercer, K.C.M.G., one of the Crown Agents for the Colonies, but it is printed by Waterlow and Sons, London Wall.

The Whitehall headquarters of the Foreign, India, Home, and Colonial Offices in 1866. It was at that time occupied by all four government departments; it presently serves a single department, now called the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office .