Secretary of State for the Environment - Definition and Overview

The Secretary of State for the Environment was a UK cabinet position. It was created in 1970 by Edward Heath as a combination of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Ministry of Public Building and Works on October 15, 1970.

Secretaries of State for the Environment

• Peter Walker (October 15, 1970 - November 5, 1972)
• Geoffrey Rippon (November 5, 1972 - March 4, 1974)
• Anthony Crosland (March 5, 1974 - April 8, 1976)
• Peter Shore (April 8, 1976 - May 4, 1979)
• Michael Heseltine (May 5, 1979 - January 6, 1983)
• Tom King (January 6, 1983 - June 11, 1983)
• Patrick Jenkin (June 11, 1983 - September 2, 1985)
• Kenneth Baker (September 2, 1985 - May 21, 1986)
• Nicholas Ridley (May 21, 1986 - July 24, 1989)
• Chris Patten (July 24, 1989 - November 28, 1990)
• Michael Heseltine (November 28, 1990 - April 11, 1992)
• Michael Howard (April 11, 1992 - May 27, 1993)
• John Gummer (May 27, 1993 - May 2, 1997)

It was succeeded by the office of Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and then Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.