HC Deb 30 January 2002 vol 379 cc315-6W
Chris Grayling

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the people who received official hospitality at No. 10 Downing street in 2001. [31606]

The Prime Minister

It is not my practice to give details of every visitor to 10 Downing street. In 2001, around 4,300 visitors received hospitality.

The programme of events is designed to give people the opportunity to visit No. 10, including for example regular children's tea parties and receptions for a wide-ranging cross section of the community. In 2001 these included receptions for teachers, NHS workers, the police, members of the emergency services and victims of the floods.

I also provided hospitality to visiting world political leaders, and a wide range of other organisations and individuals.

No. 10 has also been used for a large number of charity receptions which were funded by the charities involved, who were also responsible for drawing up the guest lists.

In addition, I hosted a number of political events funded by the Labour party.