Board of Trade

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Board of Trade in 1808

The Board of Trade is a committee of the UK Privy Council . It was originally a committee of inquiry in the 17th century, which over time evolved into a government department with a wide range of tasks. Since 1970 it has been called the Department of Trade and Industry and is headed by the Minister of Trade and Industry who is also the President of the Board of Trade. The Board of Trade has only appeared in full once since the mid-19th century, during the commemorations of its 200th anniversary in 1986.

In 1621, King James I directed the Privy Council to set up a temporary committee to investigate the causes of the decline in trade and the resulting financial distress of the treasury. The official name of the board is The Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council appointed for the consideration of all matters Relating to Trade and Foreign Plantations ( The Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council, who are appointed to all matters relating to the trade and foreign colonies to investigate ).

In 1696, King William III appointed eight paid commissioners to promote trade in the American plantations and elsewhere. The Board continued this work, but there were long periods of inactivity. After 1761, the Board's work was at times chaotic. In 1782 it was temporarily dissolved by the Rockingham Whigs .

William Pitt re- established the committee in 1784, and an order-in-council created the formal basis that has remained in force to this day. A secretariat has been created that includes the President, Vice-President and Board members. After 1820, the regular meetings ended and business was carried out entirely by the secretariat.

In the 19th century the Board had an advisory role on economic activities in Great Britain and the British Empire . During the second half of the 19th century, it also dealt with legislation on patents, samples and trademarks, corporate oversight, labor and factories, merchant shipping, agriculture, transportation and energy supply, etc. Colonial affairs were turned over to the colonial office, and other functions were transferred to new established government departments. This process continued through the 20th century.

literature

  • Arthur Herbert Basye : The Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations: Commonly Known as the Board of Trade, 1748–1782 . Yale University Press , New Haven 1925 (English).

Web links