§ Q27. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the banquet given in honour 126W of the Vice-President of the United States of America; who attended this; what was the menu and the cost of same; why details were given to the American Press and not the British; and in view of the Government's cuts in expenditure and in the standard of living of the poorer sections of the population, if he will take the necessary action to cut expenditure on these types of events by making a 10 per cent. cut in the Government's Hospitality Fund.
§ The Prime MinisterThis dinner in honour of Vice-President Mondale was held at No. 10 on 27th January. A list of those attending was published in the Press in the usual way. It is not normal practice to list the menus for or the cost of particular dinners at which Her Majesty's Government are host. My Press Office released details of the dinner to the Press through the Press Association at its request. Provision for the Government Hospitality Fund is included in the Vote for Central Management of the Civil Service (Class XIII, 12) which has been subpect to its share of cuts in expenditure.