§ 32. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the expenditure involved in repairing and opening to the public Henry VIII's New Wyne Seller at Hampton Court has been more than met by the payments made by visitors to the seller; what was the total of the expenditure incurred; and what are the average monthly takings from visitors since the seller was opened?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Captain Hacking)The cellar has been open only about a month. The takings cannot be given separately as visitors are admitted to the cellar and Great Kitchen for the fee formerly charged for the Kitchen alone. It is of interest, however, to know that the receipts from the combined fee for the past month were about £190 as compared with £67 from the Kitchen alone for the corresponding month of 1926. The cost of opening the cellar to the public amounted to approximately £560.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIn regard to the large revenue derived, which must represent hundreds per cent. profit, will the Office of Works bear it in mind when they are considering a small expenditure in order to give a great pleasure to the public?
§ Captain HACKINGYes, Sir; but we have not many new wyne sellers in the country.
§ Mr. THURTLECan the Under-Secretary say whether there is any good wine sold in this cellar?
§ Captain HACKINGThe hon. Member will be disappointed to hear that there is none.