asked the Minister of Defence how many civil servants, civilians and serving officers are at present employed by, or seconded to, his Department.

The new Ministry of Defence has had transferred to its staffs from the former Defence Office, the Joint Intelligence Bureau, the Imperial Defence College and the Combined Operations Headquarters totalling 448 civilians and 21 Service officers. Additional staff engaged to date comprises 31 civilians and one Service officer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the importance of ensuring that his Department does not become unduly swollen as has been the case in the past?

I should very much like to take this point up with hon. Members who seem to address to me all sorts of questions which give a lot more work to my Department.

Is the address of the new Department, "H.M.S. Wimbledon"?