Board of Trade

The Board of Trade was a body the government of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions. The department became part of the Department of Trade and Industry in 1970, with the Board of Trade now remaining in existence only for legal reasons. The position of President of the Board of Trade has become a secondary title of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

In 1621, King James I directed the Privy Council to establish a temporary committee to investigate the causes of a decline in trade and consequent financial difficulties. Its formal title of The Committee of Privy Council for Trade and Foreign Plantations is unchanged to the present day.

In 1696, King William III appointed eight paid commissioners to promote trade in the American plantations and elsewhere. The board carried on this work but also had long periods of inactivity, devolving into chaos after 1761 and abolished in 1782 by the Rockingham Whigs.

William Pitt recreated the committee in 1784, and an Order-in-Council of August 23, 1786 provided the formal basis that still remains in force. A secretariat was established which included the president, vice president and board members. After 1820 the board ceased to meet and the business was carried out entirely by the secretariat.

In the 19th century the board had an advisory function on economic activity in the UK and its empire. During the second half of the 19th century it also dealt with legislation for patents, designs and trade marks, company regulation, labor and factories, merchant shipping, agriculture, transport, power etc. Colonial matters passed to the Colonial Office and other functions were devolved to newly created departments, a process that continued for much of the 20th century.

Reference

• History of the Board of Trade