asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the total number of Special Advisers to Ministers; and how many of those Special Advisers have been positively vetted for security purposes.

There are currently 28 Special Advisers to Ministers and they have all been or, in the case of the most recent appointments, are in the process of being positively vetted.

Can the Minister tell the House why the number of Special Advisers has increased by three since 28th February this year? Is it because the Ministers have got worse and need more advice, or is it because the Special Advisers have become less good and we need more of them?

The hon. Gentleman's figures are wrong. In fact, there have been four new appointments and one resignation since the last list was published on 21st February.

Has it occurred to my hon. Friend that many hon. Members are willing, at no extra expense, to give ample advice to Ministers at any hour of the day or night if they are in need thereof? Why do we have all these extra Special Advisers, who could easily be replaced by Members of this House?

I assure my hon. Friend that I recognise and welcome the advice which he gives me so frequently.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether he will ask Ministers who have Special Advisers to review the advice that they have been receiving in view of the reports last week by Mr. Frank Field, who claimed that only one-third of the Cabinet were politically motivated anyway?

I certainly do not accept Mr. Field's views in that regard.