HC Deb 28 November 1949 vol 470 cc778-80

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of SIR PATRICK HANNON:

61. To ask the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he will reconsider his decision to deprive hon. Members of the service of waiters in the Smoke Room of the House; and if, in view of the undignified nature of present arrangements, he will bring them to an end at once.

Sir T. Moore

On a Point of Order. As this Question is of great interest to all those Members who use the Smoke Room, Mr. Speaker, could we have an answer to it, with your permission?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Moseley (Sir P. Hannon) is not here to ask it.

At the end of Questions —

Sir T. Moore

On a point of Order. As the Chairman of the Kitchen Committee is in his place, and we have a few minutes to spare, could Question No. 61 be answered, Sir, with your permission?

Mr. Speaker

It is not a matter for me; it is a matter for the hon. Member for West Walthamstow (Mr. McEntee). If he wishes, he can answer the Question.

Mr. McEntee

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I will answer Question No. 61.

Following the receipt of a number of letters from hon. Members, the Kitchen Committee, at their meeting on 26th October, re-considered their previous decision to discontinue the waiter service in the Members' Smoke Room, and it was decided to defer further consideration of the matter until the New Year. The Committee regret the necessity of curtailing services such as this, but feel compelled to reduce expenditure where possible, so long as financial arrangements continue as at present. I would again draw attention to the Committee's Special Report, dated 9th February, 1949, and particularly to Clauses 12, 13 and 14, of that Report, and point out that no action has been taken on the recommendation of the Committee by the House.

Mr. Collins

Can my hon. Friend say whether any complaints have been made by Members about the undignified position, and what saving has been effected by the reduction of staff in the Smoke Room?

Mr. McEntee

There have been a number of requests to the Kitchen Committee to reinstitute the service, and some complaints, but nobody has mentioned the undignified position referred to in the question. It is difficult to say what the saving has been, but I should estimate it at about £600 per annum.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Were any arrangements made on behalf of, and what became of, the servants of this House who used to be employed in the Smoke Room? One of them was a servant of the House for over 30 years.

Mr. McEntee

The servant to whom my hon. Friend particularly refers, who has been here for over 30 years, would have normally retired on pension within a short time after he did, in fact, leave here. His superannuation has been paid by the Committee, and will continue to be paid until the time arrives when he receives it from the insurance society. In addition, the Committee have paid his part of the contributions to the society.

Mr. James Hudson

Will my hon. Friend say whether there has been any complaint about the undignified nature of the loss of service in the Tea Room, which has been the case for many years? Further, if there is anything undignified in the Smoke Room, what is it?

Sir W. Smithers

On a point of Order. May I appeal to you, Mr. Speaker, as the chief commoner in this country, to use your influence on behalf of some of the lesser breeds of commoners to try to get us some fires in the Library and the Smoke Room?

Mr. K. Lindsay

On a point of Order. As there are still three minutes left, Sir, before half-past three, could we have an answer to Question No. 62?

Mr. Speaker

I think we have had enough.