HC Deb 29 June 1908 vol 191 cc371-2
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

I beg to ask the hon. Member for Mid. Derbyshire, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what was the market price per pound of strawberries in London last week; what was the price per pound paid by the Kitchen Committee; and what is the price per pound charged by the Kitchen Committee for strawberries when served on the Terrace.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KITCHEN COMMITTEE (Sir JAMES JACOBY,) Derbyshire, Mid.

The charge for a portion of strawberries served on the Terrace, large enough for two, including cream and sugar is 1s., or 6d. per head. The market price varies according to size and quality. The Kitchen Committee purchase best and selected fruit for which they pay 8d. per pound. From to-day the change of 1s. per portion is reduced to 8d.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I hear with entire satisfaction the reduction which is to be made in the price, but will the hon. Gentleman see that in future the staff act in a different way from what they did last week, when I heard complaints from four hon. Members that they were charged more than 2d. for each strawberry?

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

They are almost as dear as peerages.

SIR JAMES JACOBY

The Committee are unable to form any opinion in regard to charges unless Members back their bills with their complaints, which then receive immediate attention.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I failed to get them to back their bills. One was a member of the Kitchen Committee.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that many people have a constitutional objection to backing bills?

SIR JAMES JACOBY

We have followed the constitutional procedure of our predecessors in this matter.