and the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Number 11) – you will probably have seen the exterior on TV . Number 10 has been home to the British Prime Minister ever since George II gave the resident to Robert Walpole.  As well as containing private rooms for the Prime Minister and his/her family, Downing Street has a large Cabinet room where senior members of the Government meet to for their policy meetings. Though The Chancellor of the Exchequer (effectively the number 2 position in Government) traditionally lives at No. 11,  because there is more space at Number 11  ( far fewer of the building's rooms are used for meetings) , the current Prime Minister, Tony Blair has moved into them for his larger family whilst Chancellor Gordon Brown lives in a smaller flat above the offices at No. 10. In 1989, following a bombing campaign by the IRA, wrought iron security gates were installed at the entrance to Downing Street on the orders of Margaret Thatcher.  Before this, it was actually possible for tourists to walk past No. 10 and along Downing street. However, as Britain's security services still believe there is a threat from overseas militant/terrorist organisations, it's unlikely the gates will be removed. But – do contact the number 10 website and find out what is happening – and send an email to the Prime Minister ! www.number-10.gov.uk