This portfolio was created by Order in Council dated October 31, 1916, pursuant to the War Measures Act. The minister was to reside in London, administer the affairs of Canadian military forces in the United Kingdom and Europe and submit recommendations to the Governor in Council through the President of the Privy Council. Statutory provision for this office was made by Statute 7-8 George V, c. 35, assented to September 20, 1917. This Statute also provided for its own termination at the end of the parliamentary session in which the war, which had been declared on August 4, 1914, ended. An Imperial Order in Council declared the war terminated as of August 31, 1921. However, on December 20, 1919 the Governor in Council had approved an Order in Council which recognized that the war had in effect ceased to exist and provided for the repeal of all Orders in Council passed pursuant to the War Measures Act by the end of the next session of Parliament. That session of Parliament terminated on July 1, 1920 and as of that date the Government considered the Act creating this office to be spent.