§ 62. Mr. McKINLAYasked the hon. Member for the Gorton Division, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether, in view of the disparity of prices of food charged in this House with retail prices charged outside by first-class caterers, he will consider arranging that the catering in this House shall be placed in the hands of some outside catering firm?
§ Mr. COMPTONIn view of the implications in this question and its serious nature, I am calling a meeting of the Kitchen Committee next week, at which an invitation will be given to my hon. Friend to bring along his proof.
Viscountess ASTORWill the hon. Member for Partick (Mr. Mckinlay) remember what a very difficult thing it is to provide for a House such as the House of Commons, because it is one of the most difficult things any Kitchen Committee has ever had to do.
§ 63. Mr. McKINLAYasked the hon. Member for the Gorton Division, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, why the price of apples sold in this House is 3d. each, seeing that this price is 200 per cent. 34 higher than the outside retail price for similar fruit, although no rent or rates or depreciation or profit charges are part of the operations of the Kitchen Committee?
§ Mr. COMPTONThe apples sold in the refreshment department of this House are the best Empire fruit available, and purchased by the case cost a fraction over 2d. each; after taking all things into consideration we are of opinion that the price charged to Members, 3d. each, is fair and reasonable.
§ Mr. McKINLAYIs the hon. Member for the Gorton Division aware that Empire apples are delivered at Covent Garden at three-farthings per lb., and how does the hon. Member account for the difference in the price at Covent Garden and the price charged in this House?
§ Mr. COMPTONThe difference is accounted for by the quality of the articles supplied.
Viscountess ASTORWill hon. Members bear in mind that we get comforts in the House of Commons which they do not get in any other place?
§ 64. Mr. REMERasked the hon. Member for the Gorton Division, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what steps are taken to prevent the use of imported machine-skimmed milk in the preparation of foodstuffs in the House of Commons?
§ Mr. COMPTONThe milk used in the refreshment department of this House is guaranteed pure full cream, and is drawn from the counties of Devonshire, Hampshire and Wiltshire.
§ 65. Mr. REMERasked the hon. Member for the Gorton Division, as representing the Kitchen Committee, if national-mark flour is solely used in the House of Commons; and if any Chinese eggs are used in any of the ingredients of foods served in the House of Commons?
§ Mr. COMPTONOnly English National Mark flour and eggs are used in the refreshment department of the House of Commons.
§ Mr. COMPTONWe cannot be held responsible for the ingredients that are 35 used by manufacturers, but, as far as possible, we endeavour to see that they supply national or Empire products.