§ 48. Mr. Chapmanasked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, why, apart from one or two main dishes, the à la carte menu served in the Strangers' Dining Room is so monotonous.
§ Mr. StewardOn each day last week, Members and their guests taking meals in the Strangers' dining rooms, had a choice of 4 fish dishes, 5 to 6 entrees (all of which varied daily) and 5 items from the cold table. In addition, there were dishes to order consisting of 11 fish items, 7 entrees and 13 omelettes and savouries. However, I will see what can be done to vary the items on the "To Order" side of the menu.
§ Mr. ChapmanIs the hon. Gentleman aware that one can repeat almost off by heart the list on the menu on the right-hand page, because it does not vary from 34 day to day, and that after sitting here looking at the faces of hon. Members opposite for a few hours we need a little variety in the Dining Room?
§ Mr. StewardThe à la carte menu in every first-class catering establishment in London is not varied daily. There is only a limited number of dishes, and we can only put on what we can get.
§ Lieut.- Colonel Bromley - DavenportWhat proportion of the cost of the dishes is met by the taxpayer?
§ Mr. StewardI should like to have notice of that question.