§ 15. Sir HENRY CRAIKasked the First Commissioner of Works, whether the refreshment stalls in the parks are under any supervision as to the nature and quality of the food sold, especially to children, and as to the amount of money spent at these stalls in food which, if not positively injurious, is at least not nutritious; and whether any steps will be taken to check the wasteful expenditure which is to be observed at some of these stalls?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Harcourt)These stalls in the Royal Parks are under the supervision of officers of my Department who investigate any complaints as to the quality or service of the food supplied by the contractors. I am not prepared to make inquiries as to the amount of money expended by individual members of the public who must be considered to be the best judges of their needs, and as to whether they are receiving value for the money they can afford to pay.
§ Sir H. CRAIKDoes it not strike the right hon. Gentleman as rather absurd that this waste of money should go on while on the other side of the street there are suggestions for reducing expenditure?
§ Mr. HARCOURTThere is a great deal of very undesirable waste everywhere.