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Government Properties

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister in respect of (a) the flat above No. 10 Downing Street, (b) the flat above No. 11 Downing Street, (c) the flat in 1 Carlton Gardens, (d) Flat 1 in Admiralty House, (e) Flat 2 in Admiralty House, (f) Flat 3 in Admiralty House and (g) Government House in Pimlico (i) who the present occupants are, (ii) how much has been spent on (A) routine maintenance and (B) other building works in each year since 1995 and (iii) which have their council tax liabilities met by the inhabitants. [34369]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 7 February 2002.]: The flats above numbers 10 and 11 Downing Street have traditionally been the residences of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The flat in 1 Carlton Gardens is currently occupied by the President of the Council. The flats in Admiralty House and the Government House in Pimlico, which in the past have been assigned to a variety of Ministers, are currently occupied by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Home Secretary. One flat in Admiralty House is currently unoccupied.

Payment for routine maintenance and other building works is the responsibility of the occupying Minister's department. Expenditure on work to the flat above No. 11 Downing Street is as follows:

1997–98: ÿ16,471;

1998–99: ÿ48,336;

1999–00: ÿ32,189;

2000–01: ÿ37,501.

Figures for 1995 to 1997 are not available in this form.

The level and responsibility for payment of council tax is determined on whether the property is the Minister's main or secondary residence. If a main residence, the responsibility for payment of the tax falls to the Minister. I am responsible for meeting the full cost of the council tax on the flat above number 11 Downing Street.

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister how many receptions have been held at No. 10 Downing Street since 1 May 1997; and if he will list (a) the date, (b) the purpose, (c) the host, (d) the estimated number in attendance and (e) the cost to public funds of each reception. [34439]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 7 February 2002]: 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.

Over 280 official and charity receptions have been held at 10 Downing Street since 1 May 1997. I have placed a list in the Library.

28 Feb 2002 : Column 1446W

Total costs are not available in the form requested. However, the total cost to my office for all official entertainment at 10 Downing Street and Chequers was as follows:

1997–98: ÿ43,777;

1998–99: ÿ53,639;

1999–00: ÿ60,652;

2000–01: ÿ72,790.

The costs of the charity receptions are funded by the charities involved.

As was the practice under previous administrations, I have hosted a number of political events at Downing Street. The costs of these were met by the Labour Party.

Official and charity receptions hosted by the Prime Minister and Mrs. Blair

Date
1997
13 May	Prime Minister	Reception—Eve of Session	120
14 June	Prime Minister	Reception—Trooping the Colour	100
26 June	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	40
2 July	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
15 July	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
22 July	Prime Minister	Reception—Design Industry	150
30 July	Prime Minister	Reception—General	200
8 October	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
15 October	Prime Minister	Reception—General	200
30 October	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
27 November	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
10 December	Prime Minister	Reception—General	200
18 December	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
1998
29 January	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/ Children	40
11 February	Prime Minister	Reception—New Deal	n/a
9 March	Prime Minister	Reception—New Designers' Competition	n/a
26 March	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
26 March	Prime Minister	Reception—Voluntary Sector	200
1 April	Prime Minister	Tea—Women's Magazine Editors	n/a
6 April	Prime Minister	Reception—Eur Football Leaders	n/a
23 April	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
27 April	Prime Minister	Reception—Crime and Drugs	200
1 May	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
13 May	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
21 May	Prime Minister	Reception—Education	200
2 June	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
10 June	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
13 June	Prime Minister	Trooping the Colour	120
18 June	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
1 July	Prime Minister	Reception—Health	200
2 July	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
23 July	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
8 September	Mrs. Blair	Reception—Women Magazine Editors	n/a
17 September	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
6 October	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
21 October	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
27 October	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
17 November	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
18 November	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
23 November	Prime Minister	Reception—Eve of Session	120
30 November	Prime Minister	Reception—Development	n/a
2 December	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
8 December	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
14 December	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
1999
27 January	Prime Minister	Reception—Work & Leisure	100
28 January	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
28 January	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
9 February	Prime Minister	Reception—Education	200
15 February	Prime Minister	Technology College Trusts	n/a
18 February	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
24 February	Mrs. Blair	Tea—Readers of Women's Weekly	30
23 February	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
29 February	Mrs. Blair	Tea—Gold Start Awards	n/a
10 March	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
11 March	Prime Minister	Reception—Millennium Lecture on Science	100
11 April	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
15 April	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
15 April	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
19 April	Prime Minister	Reception—Regional Press Association	80
11 May	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
13 May	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
20 May	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
27 May	Prime Minister	Reception—Wealth Creation	100
12 June	Prime Minister	Trooping the Colour	120
14 June	Prime Minister	Reception—Older People	100
15 June	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
23 June	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
5 July	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
7 July	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
15 July	Prime Minister	Reception—Education	100
19 July	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
14 September	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
20 September	Prime Minister	Reception—British Fashion Council	500
13 October	Prime Minister	Reception—Arts & Culture	100
27 October	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
4 November	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
8 November	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
16 November	Prime Minister	Reception—Eve of Session	100
18 November	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
25 November	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
18 November	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
8 December	Prime Minister	Reception—Britishness	100
13 December	Prime Minister	Reception—Armed Forces	350
15 December	Mrs. Blair	Tea—Women's Own Children of Courage	30
16 December	Mrs. Blair	Tea MP's/Children	70
2000
17 January	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
22 January	Prime Minister	Reception—Emergency Services	200
25 January	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
2 February	Prime Minister	Reception—Rural Community	200
7 February	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
24 February	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
28 February	Prime Minister	Reception—NHS Doctors	200
29 February	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
1 March	Mrs. Blair	Charity	27
2 March	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
6 March	Prime Minister	Reception—Health	100
14 March	Prime Minister	Reception—Top 50 Schools	80
15 March	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
22 March	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
27 March	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
29 March	Prime Minister	Tea—Daily Star Awards	20
30 March	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
10 April	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
12 April	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
17 April	Prime Minister	Reception—Press Lobby	100
10 May	Prime Minister	Reception—UK/Caribbean	200
15 June	Prime Minister	Tea—Police Bravery Awards	110
17 June	Prime Minister	Trooping the Colour	130
28 June	Prime Minister	Reception—Primary Care Sector	200
25 July	Prime Minister	Tea—Football Foundation Launch	40
13 September	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
3 October	Prime Minister	Reception—Student Press	30
4 October	Prime Minister	Reception—Better Buildings	200
17 October	Prime Minister	Reception—Museum of TV & Radio	100
1 November	Prime Minister	Reception—Ethnic Press	75
8 November	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
9 November	Prime Minister	Charity	30
14 November	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
23 November	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
4 December	Prime Minister	Reception—Environment	100
5 December	Prime Minister	Reception—Eve of Session	105
12 December	Mrs. Blair	Tea—Women's Own Children of Courage	28
14 December	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	?
2001
9 January	Prime Minister	Reception—Regional Editors	100
11 January	Prime Minister	Reception—Olympic Games	100
22 January	Prime Minister	Reception—Floods	200
25 January	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	40
6 February	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
15 February	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
26 February	Prime Minister	Reception—NHS Doctors	200
27 February	Prime Minister	Reception—Radio Academy's News	175
28 February	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
8 March	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
12 March	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
14 March	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
26 March	Prime Minister	Reception—Childcare	150
28 March	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
4 April	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
5 April	Mrs. Blair	Tea—1951 Women European Tour	17
20 April	Mrs. Blair	Tea—World Travel Leaders	65
22 May	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
13 June	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
16 June	Prime Minister	Trooping the Colour	120
19 June	Prime Minister	Reception—Eve of Session	100
25 June	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
26 June	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
27 June	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
3 July	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
5 July	Prime Minister	Tea—Police Bravery Awards	120
9 July	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
23 July	Prime Minister	Reception—NHS	200
10 September	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
17 September	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
19 September	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
24 September	Prime Minister	Reception—Policing	200
24 October	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
29 October	Prime Minister	Reception—Higher Education	200
31 October	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
1 November	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	56
8 November	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
8 November	Prime Minister	Reception—President of Pakistan	40
14 November	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
19 November	Prime Minister	Reception—Women's Media	70
20 November	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
27 November	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
4 December	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
6 December	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	40
7 December	Mrs. Blair	Tea—MP's/Children	70
10 December	Mrs. Blair	Tea—Women in Public Services	30
12 December	Mrs. Blair	Tea—Children of Courage	30
17 December	Prime Minister	Reception—Africa	100
18 December	Mrs. Blair	Charity	50
2002
9 January	Prime Minister	Reception—Regional Newspaper Editors	80
17 January	Prime Minister	Reception—Faith Community	180
21 January	Prime Minister	Reception—Communications Industry	200
22 January	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
30 January	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
4 February	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40
5 February	Mrs. Blair	Charity	40

28 Feb 2002 : Column 1449W

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