To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 27 October 2008, Official Report, columns 631-32W, on departmental temporary employment, how many staff were recruited through each company in each year; and for how long on average staff recruited through these companies worked for the Department in each year. (242315)

I am withholding the information requested as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests. It is departmental policy that temporary staff can be engaged for periods of up to 11 months only.