<Tr> <Th> Nationality </Th> <Td> Irish </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Classification </Th> <Td> Ally </Td> </Tr> <P> Q is a fictional character in the James Bond films and film novelisations . Q (standing for Quartermaster as well as a reference to the deceptive Q - ships) is a job title, unlike M, which is a cypher for the character's name . He is the head of Q Branch (or later Q Division), the fictional research and development division of the British Secret Service . </P> <P> Q has appeared in 21 of the 24 Eon Productions James Bond films, the exceptions being Live and Let Die, the 2006 Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace . The character was also featured in both non-Eon Bond films, the 1967 Casino Royale and Never Say Never Again . </P>

Why is q called q in james bond