The functions of the Secretary of State for the colonies in the Colonial period are:
(i) He was responsible to the British Parliament on colonial affairs.
(ii) He supervised the administration of the colonies.
(iii) He advised the Governors when problems arose.
(iv) He recommended people to the crown to be appointed Governors for the colonies.
(v)He could disallow a controversial colonial legislation.
(vii)He issued orders to the Governors on the British colonial policy.
(vii)He approved the drafting of any new constitution in the colonies.
(viii) He controlled the finances of the colonies through approval of budgets and auditing of accounts.
(ix) He received petitions and grievances from the colonies on behalf of the British government.
(x) He commissioned enquiries on disturbances or any unusual occurrences in the colonies, e.g. the Aba Riots of 1929.
(xi) He submitted annual reports to the British Crown through the parliament.