Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many receptions he has hosted for representations of the print and broadcast media in the last year; how many people attended those receptions; and what the cost to the public purse was for each of those receptions.

The Chancellor has hosted two receptions for journalists in the last year. 200 members of the press were invited to the first reception (a summer reception at HM Treasury), costing £1516, which included security hire, refreshments and snacks. 103 people attended the second (Press Gallery Christmas Reception at No11) which incurred no cost.