Minister of state

A Minister of State, in parliamentary systems, is a junior minister. They may be listed as a member of cabinet or may not be considered part of cabinet and would be assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister.

In the UK a Minister of State is junior to a Secretary of State but senior to a normal Minister. Ministers of State are responsible to their Secretaries of State.

Somewhat paradoxically, in Canada a Minister of State is senior to a Secretary of State but junior to a Minister of the Crown, or normal minister. See Minister of State (Canada).

In Ireland, a Minister of State is likewise junior to normal ministers. See Minister of State (Ireland).