Notice given 19 November 2004

103  Senator Faulkner: To ask the Minister representing the Prime Minister—

(1) Since March 1996, on how many occasions has the Prime Minister stayed at Claridges Hotel in Mayfair, London.

(2) On what dates did the Prime Minister stay at this self-described “five star, de luxe, luxury” hotel.

(3) On his most recent trip to London, did the Prime Minister stay in the Brook Apartment penthouse suite, described by the hotel as ‘220 square metres/2,368 square feet (approximately), 2 King Beds. This stunning apartment has been restored in the Art Deco style with an elegant, gentle mauve décor, light oak floors and original fittings from the 1930s. The bedrooms are large and luxurious, each with their own dressing-rooms. The marble bathrooms are equally splendid with extra deep baths and separate showers. A beautiful sitting-room with full height windows looks out onto a stunning private roof terrace. In addition, there is an elegant dining-room with a cocktail bar and cloakroom. A personal butler service is provided with the penthouse’.

(4) What was the cost of the Prime Minister’s: (a) accommodation; (b) food; (c) beverages; and (c) other items (please specify) at Claridges for this recent trip.

(5) How many other rooms and suites were used by the Prime Minister’s party for this trip, and for what purposes.

(6) For the Prime Minister’s most recent trip, what were the costs for the Prime Minister’s party, excluding the Prime Minister, of: (a) accommodation; (b) food; (c) beverages; and (d) other items (please specify).

(7) Apart from the services provided and paid for outlined under (3) and (4) above, did the hotel provide any other services to the Prime Minister and his party.

(8) Has the bill for the hotel been presented and paid; if not, why not; if so, who paid the bill.

(9) On each of the occasions the Prime Minister has used this hotel since 1996, has he always stayed at the Brook Apartment penthouse suite; if not, on which occasion has he used other suites in the hotel, and which suites were used.

(10) On each occasion that the Prime Minister stayed at the hotel, what was the cost of the Prime Minister’s: (a) accommodation; (b) food; (c) beverages; and (c) other items (please specify).

(11) On each occasion that the Prime Minister stayed at the hotel since March 1996, how much was paid by the department to the hotel for associated costs excluding the amounts at (7) above.