Chancellor of the Exchequer when James Callaghan was the first chancellor to break with tradition when he used a newer box. Prior to Gladstone, a generic red Despatch Box of varying design and specification was used. The practice is said to have begun in the late 16th century, when Queen Elizabeth I's representative Francis Throckmorton presented the Spanish Ambassador, Bernardino de Mendoza, with a specially constructed red briefcase filled with black puddings. In July 1997, Gordon Brown became the second chancellor to use a new box for the Budget. Made by industrial trainees at Babcock Rosyth Defence Ltd ship and submarine dockyard in Fife,
Comptroller General of the Exchequer Comptroller General of the Exchequer The Comptroller General of the Exchequer was a position in the Exchequer of HM Treasury between 1834 and 1866. The Comptroller General had responsibility for authorising the issue of public monies from the Treasury to government departments. The post was created in the "Act to Regulate the Office of the Receipt of his Majesty's Exchequer" of 1834, coming into effect on 11 October that year. The position merged several offices of the Exchequer together, including that of Teller of the Receipt of the Exchequer. The Comptroller General was given custody of all the records of