Atomic Control Office Mr. D. E. Thomas asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department work in the atomic control office. Mr. Butler Four staff work in the atomic control office (London). Mr. D. E. Thomas asked the Secretary of State for Defence how long the atomic control office has been in existence. Mr. Butler Since 1958, following the bilateral agreement between the Governments of the United Kingdom and United States of America for co-operation on the uses of atomic energy for mutual defence purposes.