Secretary of the Navy

Secretary of the Navy, now called the Secretary to the Admiralty, is the conventional title of the parliamentary secretary to the Board of Admiralty. This post is conferred on a ministerial supporter in the House of Commons, in which when the First Lord of the Admiralty is a peer he is the exponent of naval policy; and he is also mainly responsible for the financial administration of the service. He changes of course with the ministry, of which he is a subordinate member, and receives a salary of £2000 a year. There is also a permanent secretary, generally a naval officer, who holds office for life, and receives £1700 a year. He is responsible for the discipline of the Admiralty Office. This appointment is of long standing, and was held by the celebrated Samuel Pepys.