Defence, Ministry of

UK government department created in 1964 from a temporary Ministry of Defence established after World War II together with the Admiralty, Air Ministry, and War Office. It is responsible for defence policy and for control and administration of the armed services, with the aim of protecting the UK and its overseas territories and supporting the government's foreign policy. It is headed by the secretary of state for defence, supported by three junior ministers. There are 37 executive agencies (2004). It is the largest central government department, with over 100,000 civilian staff (2004). The defence secretary is Des Browne, from 2006.