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most famous addresses i n the United Kingdom and the world. Almost three hundred years old, the building contains about one hundred rooms. There is a private residence on the third floor and a kitchen in the basement. The other floors contain offices and numerous conference, reception, sitting and dining rooms where the Prime Minister works, and where government ministers, national leaders and foreign dignitaries are met and entertained. Adjacent to St. James's Park, Number 10 is near the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the British Monarch. The arrangement was not an immediate success. Despite its size and convenient location near Parliament, few early Prime Ministers lived there. Costly to maintain, neglected, and run-down, Number 10 was close to being razed several times. Nevertheless, Number 10 survived and became linked with many statesmen and events in British history. I n 1985, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said, "Number 10 had become 'one of the most precious jewels in the national heritage'." Ten a penny (chiefly Br) - навалом; на дармовщину; хоть пруд пруди Plentiful or easily obtained and consequently of little value; so common as to be practically worthless: People with your skills are ten a penny these days. 101