To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the office costs for his Department's special advisers for 2007-08 are expected to be, including costs of support staff; and how many full-time equivalent civil servants work in support of such special advisers. (164929)

One civil servant is employed at the Ministry of Defence to provide dedicated support of a non-political nature to the special advisers in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. The pay band for the post range between £24,700 and £33,250 per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on special advisors in 2006-07; how much has been allocated for 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. (172819)

I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007, Official Report, columns 147-50WS.