HC Deb 19 May 1947 vol 437 cc2009-10
63. Mr. Vane

asked the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. McEntee), as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what is the species of plover appearing on the dining room menu; and what is the country of origin.

Mrs. Ayrton Gould

I have been asked to reply. We are informed by our suppliers that the species of plover is the black plover, and the place of origin is Lincolnshire and the Fen District.

Mr. Vane

Does the hon. Lady think it very dignified for hon. Members of this House to debate the protection of rare birds one day, and then to find them on the dining room menu to eat the next day?

Mrs. Ayrton Gould

I confess that I do not know a great deal about this, but I understand that plover is a bird that has always been eaten, and that it is considered advisable in these days, when ordinary food is in short supply, that it should be used when possible in the House of Commons restaurant.

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Will the hon. Lady undertake to look up an Order issued by the Lincolnshire County Council, to ascertain whether or not plovers are protected in that county at the present time?

Mrs. Ayrton Gould

I will certainly do that.

Colonel Clarke

Does the hon. Lady appreciate that the name "black plover" is very indeterminate, and will she give us at some convenient time the scientific name for this bird?

Mrs. Ayrton Gould

I will have that in vestigated; I am afraid I do not know.

64. Mr. Benn Levy

asked the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. McEntee), as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, if he will arrange for the dining room menus henceforward to be printed in English.

Mrs. Ayrton Gould

Yes, Sir. The hon. Member will appreciate that it is extremely difficult in some circumstances to find an English translation that will explain briefly that which is a term which explains a method of cooking or of presentation, such as hors d'oeuvre, etc.

Mr. Levy

I am not sure from the reply whether the menus will be printed in English in future or not. If they are not to be printed in English because of the reasons which she gave, then perhaps my hon. Friend would challenge one or two of us to try to devise an intelligible compendium of concise English equivalent to these culinary dishes?

Professor Savory

Is not the hon. Lady aware that for over 200 years it has been the custom to print these menus in the French language, as France is a country which is famous for its exquisite cuisine?

Mrs. Ayrton Gould

I agree with the hon. Gentleman. May I point out to the hon. Member who asked the Question, that hors d'oeuvre is described as "an appetising savoury of vegetables, fish, etc., served in small portions before the first course." Everyone knows what hors d'oeuvre means, but it would not be easy to print this shortly and concisely on the menu so as to give the same idea. I have not given an undertaking that the menus will be printed in English, but. I shall be delighted to have the suggestions of my hon. Friend.

Mr. Mikardo

Will the hon. Lady do what she can to ensure that the French is correct? Is she aware that on today's luncheon menu, no fewer than four accents are missing?

Mr. Henry Strauss

Is not "camouflage" of French origin anyhow?

Mr. Chetwynd

If the hon. Lady is short of words to describe most of these dishes in concise English, would not "sausage meat" do?

Major Tufton Beamish

is the hon. Lady aware that the hon. Gentleman who asked this Question used the French word menu?