§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the right hon. Member for the Epping Division, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committeee, whether, in view of the changed conditions which must necessarily follow the payment of Members of this House, he will, as Chairman, recommend to the Kitchen Committee that the time has now come when it is desirable to place the present inadequate charges for the is. luncheons and dinners upon a more businesslike footing; and whether, as these so-called 1s. luncheons and dinners actually cost the Committee from 1s. 3d. to is. 4d., he will recommend that the future payment for a luncheon or dinner of this value shall be ls. 3d., so that the Committee may not only be in a sound position to cater on a basis of the highest standard for all, but that they may be thus empowered to remove any grounds of legitimate complaint against either the food itself or its preparation and cooking?
§ Colonel LOCKWOODI am not at all prepared to admit that the hon. Gentleman's figures as to the so-called shilling luncheon and dinners are correct. When the changed conditions alluded to by the hon. Member become law I will endeavour to find out whether Members of the House desire to spend an increased portion of their income in food. I am afraid the Kitchen Committee will never be able to remove all cause for complaint from the food itself, or its preparation, whatever be the price charged.
§ Mr. BURDETT-COUTTSWill the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Government that it would be more in the spirit of the payment of Members to provide them with free lunches in order to render their services —[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh, oh."]
§ Mr. KILBRIDEIn order to improve the decoration of the tables in the dining-room will the right hon. Gentleman the Chairman of the Kitchen Committee secure the return of the Dublin Crown Jewels?
§ Colonel LOCKWOODIn reply to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Westminster, I have to say that any representations that bring money into my pocket will be gladly made to His Majesty's Government.