§ 54. Sir W. Smithersasked the hon. Member for West Walthamstow, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, on what basis hon. Members are charged 5d. for a small sausage in the Members' cafeteria.
§ Mr. McEnteeSausages sold in the Members' tea room weigh six to the pound. The gross profit on one sausage is 2⅓ d. approximately. From this gross profit must be deducted the cost of cooking and serving, transporting to tea room, the use of a plate, knife, fork and condiment containers, and the provision of sauces, mustard, pepper, salt and cooking fat. In addition, there is the cost of book entries for buying, selling, accounting, auditing and certifying. I have not the staff to work out the decimal net profit, but I estimate it to be under 1d.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the hon. Gentleman aware that when I cut one of the sausages the other day it turned round and barked at me? May I ask him whether this enormous expense and the losses incurred by the Kitchen Committee are due to the fact that they have to take out a dog licence for every sausage?
§ Mr. McEnteeI am not surprised that the sausage barked.
§ Mr. WyattIn view of the very heavy overheads in supplying the sausage, would my hon. Friend consider putting up the price?
§ Mr. McEnteeI will ask the Committee to consider that point at their next meeting.