This is a list of Permanent Under-Secretaries for

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

in the

Civil Service The civil service is a collective term for a sector of government composed mainly of career civil servants hired on professional merit rather than appointed or elected, whose institutional tenure typically survives transitions of political leaders ...

. It should not be confused with the

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland is a junior ministerial post (of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State rank) in the Government of the United Kingdom, supporting the Secretary of State for Scotland. The post is also know ...

Office

The political office of

Secretary for Scotland The secretary of state for Scotland ( gd, Rùnaire Stàite na h-Alba; sco, Secretar o State fir Scotland), also referred to as the Scottish secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom ga, Rialtas a Shoi ...

was established in 1885 along with the establishment of the

Scottish Office The Scottish Office was a department of the Government of the United Kingdom from 1885 until 1999, exercising a wide range of government functions in relation to Scotland under the control of the Secretary of State for Scotland. Following the e ...

. In line with the secretaryship, a permanent under-secretaryship was created, to be occupied by a

civil servant The civil service is a collective term for a sector of government composed mainly of career civil servants hired on professional merit rather than appointed or elected, whose institutional tenure typically survives transitions of political leaders ...

. The first office-holder was Francis Sandford. When the political office became the Secretary ''of State'' for Scotland in 1926, the permanent secretary also became Permanent Under-Secretary ''of State''.David Milne, ''The Scottish Office'' (London: Allen and Unwin, 1957), p. 217.

Permanent Under-Secretaries (of State) for Scotland

The following were Permanent Under-Secretaries (of State) for Scotland:Names and dates are based on the individuals' ''

Who's Who ''Who's Who'' (or ''Who is Who'') is the title of a number of reference publications, generally containing concise biography, biographical information on the prominent people of a country. The title has been adopted as an expression meaning a gr ...

'' entries, unless cited otherwise. * 1885–1887: Sir Francis Richard John Sandford, KCB (later Baron Sandford). * 1888–1892:

Robert William Cochran-Patrick Robert William Cochran-Patrick LLD (5 February 1842 – 15 March 1897) was a Scottish Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1880 to 1885. Cochran-Patrick was the only son of William Charles Richard Cochran of Woodside in ...

. * 1892–1902: Colonel Sir

Colin Scott-Moncrieff Colonel Sir Colin Campbell Scott-Moncrieff (3 August 1836 – 6 April 1916) was a British engineer, soldier and civil servant, best known for repairing the Delta Barrage, Nile Barrage and reorganizing the irrigation system of Egypt in the 1880 ...

, KCSI. * 1902–1908: Sir

Reginald Macleod of Macleod Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod (1 February 1847 – 20 August 1935) was the 27th Chief of Clan MacLeod. Life Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod was born on 1 February 1847. He was the son of Norman MacLeod of MacLeod (1812–1898), 25th Chief ...

, KCB. * 1909–1921: Sir James Miller Dodds, KCB * 1921–1933: Sir John Lamb, KCB (Under-Secretary of State after 1926) * 1933–1937: Sir

John Jeffrey John Jeffrey (born 25 March 1959 in Kelso in the Scottish Borders) is a former Scotland international rugby union player. He is an administrator for World Rugby. Rugby Union career Amateur career Jeffrey was educated at St. Mary's Schoo ...

, KCB, CBE FRSE * 1937: John Elborn Highton, CB * 1937–1946: Sir

Horace Perkins Hamilton Sir Horace Perkins Hamilton, GCB (20 November 1880 – 15 September 1971) was a British civil servant, who served successively as Chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise from 1919 to 1927, Permanent Under-Secretary of State to the Board of T ...

, GCB * 1946–1959: Sir David Milne, GCB * 1959–1964: Sir William Stuart Murrie, GCB, KBE * 1965–1973: Sir Thomas Douglas Haddow, KCB, FRSE * 1973–1978: Sir

Nicholas Godfrey Morrison Nicholas is a male given name and a surname. The Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Anglican Churches celebrate Saint Nicholas every year on December 6, which is the name day for "Nicholas". In Greece, the name and its ...

, KCB * 1978–1988: Sir

William Kerr Fraser Sir William Kerr Fraser (18 March 1929 – 13 September 2018) was a British civil servant, who served as Permanent Secretary at the Scottish Office, and as Principal and later Chancellor of the University of Glasgow. Early life William Kerr ...

, GCB * 1988–1998: Sir

Robert Russell Hillhouse The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...

, KCB, FRSE * 1998–1999:

Alastair Muir Russell Sir Alastair Muir Russell (born 9 January 1949) is a Scottish retired civil servant and former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, and Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland. Early life Russell was bo ...

(later KCB)

Heads of the Scottish departments (Secretary grade)

The Scottish Office was unusual in that it was federal in arrangement; the Secretary of State oversaw several separate Scottish departments via the Scottish Office; those departments were headed by a Secretary who was responsible directly to the Secretary of State, but would meet with the Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Scottish Office regularly. The following is a list of those secretaries.

Secretary, Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department

The Board of Agriculture for Scotland, which had been founded in 1912,"Chronology of Devolution, 1885–1979"
''Scottish Government Yearbook'' (1979), p. 204. was replaced in 1928 by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland with a new permanent secretary. Responsibility for fisheries was added in 1960 from the Scottish Home Department, and the department was then renamed the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. In 1991, it was renamed the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department. In 1995, it was again renamed to the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department. ''As Board of Agriculture for Scotland'' * 1912–1918:

Hugh Morison Conacher Hugh may refer to: *Hugh (given name) Noblemen and clergy French * Hugh the Great (died 956), Duke of the Franks * Hugh Magnus of France (1007–1025), co-King of France under his father, Robert II * Hugh, Duke of Alsace (died 895), modern-day ...

. * 1918–1928:

Charles Weatherill Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was "f ...

(later CBE) ''As Department of Agriculture for Scotland'' * 1928–1934: Sir

Robert Blyth Greig Sir Robert Blyth Greig (23 March 1874 – 29 November 1947) was a Scottish agriculturalist. He served as Chairman of the Scottish Board of Agriculture from 1921 to 1928 and was Secretary to the Department of Agriculture for all Great Britain fro ...

, Kt, MC, FRSE * 1934–1953: Sir Patrick Ramsay Laird, KBE, CB, FRSE * 1953–1958: Sir

Alexander Glen Alexander is a male given name. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Variants listed here are Aleksandar, Al ...

, KBE, CB, MC * 1958–1960: Sir

Matthew Campbell Matthew Campbell may refer to: *Matthew Campbell (Australian footballer) (born 1964), former Australian rules footballer with Brisbane and current commentator *Matt Campbell (Australian footballer) (born 1987), current Australian rules footballer wi ...

, KBE, CB, FRSE ''As Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland (from 1991 Scottish Office Department of Agriculture and Fisheries)'' * 1960–1968: Sir

, KBE, CB, FRSE * 1968–1971: Harry Whitby, CB * 1971:

William George Pottinger (William) George Pottinger (11 June 1916 – 15 January 1998)James Ian Smith, CB * 1984–1992: Loudon Pearson Hamilton, CB * 1992–1995: Kenneth John Mackenzie (later CB) ''As Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department'' * 1995–1998:

(later KCB) * 1998–1999: John Strathie Graham

Secretary, Scottish Office Development Department (1962–1999)

Created in 1962 as the Scottish Development Department, it was renamed in 1991, becoming the Scottish Office Environment Department,Richard Parry
"The structure of the Scottish Office 1991"
in ''The Scottish Government Yearbook 1992'', p. 247. but reverted to being the Scottish Office Development Department in 1995."New Scottish Office structure announced"
''The Local Government Chronicle'', 7 August 1995. Retrieved 20 January 2019. ''As Scottish Development Department'' * 1962–1964: Thomas Douglas Haddow, CB (later KCB) *1965–1973: Sir Alan Blythe Hume, Kt, CB *1973–1976: Kenneth Newis, CB, CVO *1976–1980: Eric Gillett *1980–1987: Tony Richard Hillier Godden, CB *1987–1990: Robert Gavin Loudon McCrone, CB ''As Scottish (Office) Environment Department'' *1991–1992: Robert Gavin Loudon McCrone, CB *1992–1995: Harold Hernshaw Mills, CB ''As Scottish Office Development Department'' * 1995–1998: Harold Hernshaw Mills, CB *1998–1999: Kenneth John Mackenzie (later CB)

Secretary, Scottish Office Industry Department (1973–1995)

Created in 1973 as the Scottish Economic Planning Department. It was renamed the Scottish Industry Department in 1983, and, like all departments it was prefixed with "Scottish Office" in 1991. The department's portfolio was merged with the Education Department in 1995. * 1973–1980: Tony Richard Hillier Godden, CB *1980–1983: Robert Gavin Loudon McCrone, CB ''As Scottish (Office) Industry Department'' * 1983–1987: Robert Gavin Loudon McCrone, CB *1987–1990: James Archibald Scott, CB, LVO, FRSE *1990–1995: Peter Mackay, CB

Secretary, Scottish Office Education and Industry Department

Formed in 1872 as the Scotch Education Department, renamed Scottish Education Department in 1918, Scottish Office Education Department in 1991 and Scottish Office Education and Industry Department in 1995.John P. Wilson, ''The Routledge Encyclopaedia of UK Education, Training and Employment'' (Abingdon: Routledge, 2011), p. 273. * 1872–1884: Francis Richard Sandford (later Baron Sandford, KCB). *1884–1885:

Patrick Cumin Patrick Cumin or Cuming (1695–1776) was a senior clergyman in the Church of Scotland. He was three times Moderator of the General Assembly. Life He was born in 1695 the eldest son of Robert Cumin of Relugas near Forres, Morayshire. He stu ...

, CB. *1885–1904: Sir Henry Craik, KCB. *1904–1921: Sir John Struthers, KCB *1922–1928: Sir George Macdonald, KCB *1928–1936: Sir William Wallace McKechnie, KBE, CB. *1936–1940: Sir James Wallace Peck, Kt, CB, FRSE *1940–1952: Sir

John Mackay Thomson John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

, Kt, CBE, FRSE (acting 1939) *1952–1957: Sir William Stuart Murrie, KBE, CB (later GCB) *1964–1973: Sir Norman William Graham, Kt, CB *1973–1976: John Martin Fearn, CB * 1976–1984: John Angus Macbeth Mitchell, CB, CVO, MC * 1984–1987: James Archibald Scott, LVO, FRSE (later CB) *1988–1999: Gerald Robertson Wilson, CB, FRSE

Secretary, Department of Health for Scotland (1929–1962)

The Board of Health was established in 1919. In 1928, it became the Department of Health for Scotland, and merged with the Department of Health for Scotland in 1962 to form the Scottish Home and Health Department (see below). ''As Scottish Board of Health'' * 1919–1928:

, CBE (later KCB) ''As Department of Health for Scotland'' * 1929–1933:

, CBE, CB (later KCB) * 1933–1937: John Elborn Highton, CB * 1937–1939: William Scott Douglas, CB (later GCB, KBE) * 1939–1943: William Robert Fraser, CB (later KCB, KBE) * 1943–1953: Sir George Henry Henderson, KBE, CB * 1953–1956: Harold Ross Smith, CB * 1956–1959: Sir

John Anderson John Anderson may refer to: Business *John Anderson (Scottish businessman) (1747–1820), Scottish merchant and founder of Fermoy, Ireland * John Byers Anderson (1817–1897), American educator, military officer and railroad executive, mentor of ...

, KBE, CB *1959–1962: Thomas Douglas Haddow, CB (later KCB)

Secretary, Scottish Home Department (1939–1962)

Established in 1939 to take over functions of the Scottish Office, the Fishery Board for Scotland, and the Prisons Department for Scotland. Merged with the Department of Health for Scotland in 1962 to form the Scottish Home and Health Department (see below). * 1939–1942: Robert Norman Duke, CB (later KBE; on secondment with the Scottish Civil Defence Regional Office from September 1939) *1942–1946: Sir David Milne, KCB (later GCB) *1946–1948: Robert Norman Duke, CB (later KBE) * 1948–1957: Sir

Charles Craik Cunningham Sir Charles Craik Cunningham, (7 May 1906 – 7 July 1998) was a Scottish civil servant. From 1957 to 1966, he was Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office, its most senior civil servant. He had worked in the Scottish Office from 192 ...

, KBE, CB, CVO *1957–1959: Sir William Stuart Murrie, KBE, CB (later GCB) * 1959–1962: Sir

, KBE, CB

Secretary, Scottish Office Home and Health Department

Formed by merger of the Scottish Home Department and the Department of Health for Scotland in 1962.Mary Macdonald and Adam Redpath
It was renamed the Scottish Office Home and Health Department in 1991, and split up into the Scottish Office Health Department and the Scottish Office Home Department in 1995. * 1963–1972: Sir Ronald Ernest Charles Johnson">"The Scottish Office, 1954–1979", ''Scottish Government Yearbook 1980'' (1980), p. 101–102. It was renamed the Scottish Office Home and Health Department in 1991, and split up into the Scottish Office Health Department and the Scottish Office Home Department in 1995. * 1963–1972: Sir Ronald Ernest Charles Johnson
, Kt, CB *1972–1977: Ronald Petrie Fraser, CB * 1977–1984: Archibald Louden Rennie, CB * 1984–1990: William Kennedy Reid, CB (later KCB) * 1990–1992: Graham Allan Hart, CB (later KCB) *1992–1995:

James Hamill James Alphonsus Hamill (March 30, 1877 – December 15, 1941) was an American attorney and Democratic Party politician. He served as the U.S. representative from New Jersey's 10th congressional district from 1907 to 1913 and 12th distric ...

(later CB). In 1995, the department was subsequently split into the Scottish Office Home Department and the Scottish Office Health Department. Hamill remained Secretary and Head of the Home Department, and was appointed CB in 1997. He was still in the office in 1999, when it was abolished on the formation of the devolved Scottish Executive. After 1995, the new Health Department had no secretary, but comprised several branches: the Management Executive for NHS in Scotland (the Chief Executive from 1993 to 1999 was Geoffrey Richard Scaife, CB), the Office of the Chief Scientist, the Public Health Policy Unit (the head of which was the

Chief Medical Officer Chief medical officer (CMO) is the title used in many countries for the senior government official designated head of medical services, sometimes at the national level. The post is held by a physician who serves to advise and lead a team of medical ...

), Medical Services (also headed by the Chief Medical Officer) and Nursing Services (headed by the

Chief Nursing Officer Nursing management consists of the performance of the leadership functions of governance and decision-making within organizations employing nurses. It includes processes common to all management like planning, organizing, staffing, directing and ...

Secretary, Prisons Department for Scotland (1929–1939)

The Prisons Department was established by the Reorganisation of Offices (Scotland) Act 1928; it was abolished by the Reorganisation of Offices (Scotland) Act 1939, and its functions were transferred to the newly established Scottish Home Department. * 1929–1935: Lt-Col. Randolph Eustace Wemyss Baird, OBE. * 1936–1939: Lt-Col. William Leith-Ross, MC.

Deputy Secretary, Central Services (1974–1991)

The Deputy Secretary, Central Services, ranked equally with the Secretaries of each of the Departments, and formed part of the Scottish Office's management group (along with the Secretaries and Permanent Under-Secretary). The office-holder was responsible for matters of devolution, as well as the financial management of the Office and local authority finance. The office was established in response to the devolution policies of the Second Wilson Ministry; "it became imperative to create devolution units at high level but separate from the departments". The first appointment was Kerr Fraser, who held the post between 1975 and 1978. The office was abolished in 1991, after Ian Penman left. Responsibility for local government finance was transferred to the Environment Department (formerly the Development Department), while management responsibilities were vested in Gerry Wilson, secretary of the Education Department; this latter arrangement was not intended to be permanent, but reflected the "relative workload" of the different grade 2 officials.Richard Parry
"The structure of the Scottish Office 1991"
in ''The Scottish Government Yearbook 1992'', p. 249. * 1975–1978:

, CB (later GCB) *1978–1984: William Kennedy Reid, CB (later KCB) * 1984–1991: Ian Dalgleish Penman, CB

References

{{Reflist, 30em Civil service positions in the United Kingdom