HC Deb 20 May 1930 vol 239 c215
54. Captain CROOKSHANK

asked the hon. Member for the Gorton Division (Mr. Compton), as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, against what fund is charged the deficit on the trading account for 1929 of the House of Commons refreshment department?

Mr. COMPTON

The deficit in the trading account for 1929 is charged to the Refreshment Department Capital Account.

Captain CROOKSHANK

Then we may take it that the statement in the Press that, when a loss is made the taxpayer has to subsidise us, is untrue?

Mr. COMPTON

That statement is quite untrue. This account is the accumulated trading profits from the time when the catering was taken over by this House in 1887, and, as shown in the special report of the Select Committee on the Kitchen and Refreshment Rooms, dated 15th April, 1930, we have now a credit balance of £6,106.