(Originally) a parliamentary officer ranking below and acting as assistant to a minister; (subsequently) a person holding the most junior ministerial rank.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Treasury Minutes.
Definition of parliamentary secretary in US English:
parliamentary secretary
noun
(Originally) a parliamentary officer ranking below and acting as assistant to a minister; (subsequently) a person holding the most junior ministerial rank.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Treasury Minutes.