Principal Private Secretary
Encyclopedia
In the British Civil Service and Australian Public Service
the Principal Private Secretary is the civil servant who runs a cabinet minister
's private office. The role can be a political appointment or a civil service position
.
(From the episode "Open Government", transmitted 25 February 1980)
Australian Public Service
The Australian Public Service is the Australian federal civil service, the group of people employed by federal departments, agencies and courts under the Government of Australia, to administer the working of the public administration of the Commonwealth of Australia...
the Principal Private Secretary is the civil servant who runs a cabinet minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
's private office. The role can be a political appointment or a civil service position
In popular culture
A classic explanation is provided in the British sitcom Yes MinisterYes Minister
Yes Minister is a satirical British sitcom written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn that was first transmitted by BBC Television between 1980–1982 and 1984, split over three seven-episode series. The sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, ran from 1986 to 1988. In total there were 38 episodes—of which all but...
.
- Sir Humphrey (the Permanent SecretaryPermanent SecretaryThe Permanent secretary, in most departments officially titled the permanent under-secretary of state , is the most senior civil servant of a British Government ministry, charged with running the department on a day-to-day basis...
) briefs Hacker (the Minister) on the Department's workings:
(From the episode "Open Government", transmitted 25 February 1980)
See also
- Principal Private Secretary to the Prime MinisterPrincipal Private Secretary to the Prime MinisterThe Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister is a senior official of the British Civil Service who acts as Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The holder of this office was formerly the head of the Prime Minister's Office, during Tony Blair's...
- Private SecretaryPrivate SecretaryIn the United Kingdom government, a Private Secretary is a civil servant in a Department or Ministry, responsible to the Secretary of State or Minister...
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary