The Undersecretary of State, in the Italian legal system, is a member of the government with the function of assisting the minister and exercising the tasks that have been delegated to him.
The figure of the undersecretary of state was established in the Kingdom of Italy with the law of February 12, 1888, n. 5195 ("Crispina reform"), replacing the General Secretary.
Without prejudice to the political responsibility and political powers of the ministers, no more than ten undersecretaries can be assigned the title of Deputy Minister, if they are conferred powers relating to areas or projects within the competence of one or more departmental structures or more general directorates.
After the appointment they can stay members of a chamber (or can be elected to be a part of it), since no incompatibility is foreseen in this regard.
The undersecretaries of state can intervene, as representatives of the Government, at the sessions of the Parliamentary Chambers and Commissions, support the discussion in accordance with the directives of the minister and answer questions and interpellations.