§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Prime Minister what the entertainment budget was for Number 10 Downing street in each of the years from 1997 to date. [160097]
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) on 17 January 2000,Official Report, column 268W.
The total cost to my office of official entertainment at 10 Downing street and Chequers was
£ Year Cost 1999–2000 60,652 2000–011 72,790 1This figure is given on a cash accounting basis Costs vary depending on the nature of events as they did under previous Administrations.
The programme of events at No. 10 is designed to give access to as many people as possible and includes regular children's tea parties and receptions for a wide cross section of the community. In the past year these have included events for teachers, doctors, members of the emergency services and victims of the floods.
Over the past year, to discuss developments in the business world, I have hosted more working breakfasts than in the previous year. I also jointly, hosted a reception for 800 people to mark the outstanding performance of British athletes at the 2000 Olympics.