HC Deb 08 July 1863 vol 172 cc409-10

Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Question [2d July], That, in the opinion of this House, the enlargement of the Dining Rooms proposed by the Committee on the Kitchen and Refreshment Rooms should be carried into execution."—(Colonel French.)

Question again proposed.

Debate resumed.

MR. AUGUSTUS SMITH

said, he did not intend to oppose the Motion. The Committee recommended the enlargement of the dining-room, but he thought an improvement in the dining should precede an enlargement of the room. He did not dine there very often, but he should do so more frequently if he could get anything fit to eat. He hoped, when Parliament met again, there would be a change in the constitution of the Kitchen Committee.

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

thought the proposed enlargement of the dining-room would be a great improvement, but he also thought that some of the complaints that were made were not well founded. Dining there recently in company with the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bucks (Mr. Disraeli), this question became naturally a subject of conversation between them, and they both thought that Mr. Steers would be harshly treated if the management of the business were taken out of his hands and transferred to another gentleman. It was said that Mr. Steers' successor was to have a larger allowance by £200, but it would be fairer before dismissing Mr. Steers to grant him that increase in order to ascertain whether he could not then obviate the chief complaint, which was of imperfect attendance.

MR. BENTINCK

said, the right hon. Baronet misunderstood the Motion before the House, which was not the dismissal of Mr. Steers, but the enlargement of the dining-room. The Committee of which he was a Member had passed a Resolution; and unless the House adopted the Resolution, the result would be that hon. Members would get no dinner at all.

SIR PATRICK O'BRIEN

remarked, that this would be the only opportunity which the House would have of expressing an opinion upon Mr. Steers' catering. He could only say that he thought the dining was as good there as in many of the clubs in town, and he doubted whe- ther any improvement would be effected by changing the contractor.

VISCOUNT GALWAY

said, an enlargement of the dining-room would alter the arrangements of the House. The fact was, the fashion of dining at the House had become general. Formerly Members only went to Bellamy's to get a chop; but now most Members dined there, and the House of Commons was the greatest dining club in London. As to Mr. Steers, he had no fault to find with his arrangements.

Debate further adjourned till Wednesday next.