Government 2, May/June 2015

Question 6

Highlight any five functions of the Secretary of State for the colonies in the colonial period.

Observation

This question was unpopular as it was avoided by some of the candidates. The few ones who attempted it did not perform well; they failed to provide correct answers to the questions. The candidates were expected to provide the following answers in order to score good marks.

(i)  Responsible and accountable to the British parliament.
(ii)  Advised the governors on the affairs of the colonies e.g. during crisis.
(iii)  Recommended people to the crown to be appointed as governors
for the colonies.
(iv)  Supervised the colonial administration by giving directives to the
Governors based on the British policies.
(v) Received petitions and grievances from the colonies on behalf of the
British parliament.
(vi)  Submitted annual reports to the British on the colonies to the crown through
the parliament.
(vii) Approved the drafting of a new constitution for the colonies.
(viii)  Controlled the finances of the colonies through approval of budgets
and auditing of accounts.
(x)  Set up Commissions of Enquiry to investigate issues in the colonies.
(xi)  He could disallow any law which was not consistent with British colonial policies.
(xii) He could override the Governors veto and power of certification.
(xiii)  He approved major projects to be undertaken in the colonies.