§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Prime Minister what was the total cost to Her Majesty's Government of the tenth 10W world economic summit held in London; what was the nature of the hospitality provided; and what. British politicians were involved.
§ The Prime MinisterI anticipate that the final cost of the London economic summit will be between £2.5 and £3 million. This compares favourably with the cost of the three most recent past summits, at Ottawa, Versailles and Williamsburg. Heads of State or Government, Foreign and Finance Ministers, together with the President and Vice-President of the European Commission, and senior representatives from each delegation, were provided with the hospitality normally arranged for such guests to this country. The Food from Britain organisation assisted with the free provision of food and drink for the lunch for Heads of State and/or Government, Foreign and Finance Ministers, as well as in providing some free food and drink for the media covering the summit. In addition to myself, the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who were directly involved with the summit, several Ministers and other Members of both Houses attended various functions, including a reception at St. James' Palace in the presence of His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent.