§ 49. Mrs. Braddockasked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, how many week-ends and Saturdays, have been booked for parties at the House of Commons; what staff is recruited to wait on the visitors; how many hours the staff work for these functions; and what arrangements are made regarding the payment to the staff who are on duty.
§ Mr. StewardSince the commencement of the year to date, three Friday afternoons, eight Friday evenings, five Saturday afternoons and four Saturday evenings have been booked for parties. Six further Friday evenings and two Saturday evenings are booked for this year and three Saturday evenings for 1953.
The number of staff required varies with the number of diners. During afternoon functions the staff would be required to work from 11.30 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. For evening functions, the time varies between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. The Member holding the function pays an extra amount per diner. 3s. 6d. to 4s., which is paid out to the staff on duty.
§ Mrs. BraddockIn view of the fact that a trade union rate of wages is paid in this establishment, would the hon. Member make certain that the amount requested in payment from the people who book the Dining Rooms for various functions covers completely the trade union rate that ought to be applied to 1577 the people who are there to wait, including an extra amount for time over the ordinary time that they work in this establishment?
§ Mr. StewardThis is the first time that I have had any complaint with regard to the payment of remuneration to staff in the Refreshment Department. If the hon. Lady will let me have full particulars, I will investigate the matter, but I do not think the staff of the Refreshment Department are treated unfairly. It should be remembered that during 1951 we paid wages for the full 52 weeks of the year although the House sat only on 29⅖ weeks and that in August and September of this year the permanent staff received from six to seven weeks' full holiday with pay, and, in the remaining two weeks, worked only half time and received full pay.
Mr. LeeIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the House as a whole accepted the terms and conditions upon which we employ this staff and that if there is to be this sort of cheeseparing—[HON. MEMBERS: "Where?"]—it should not be done by the hon. Gentleman's altering the terms and conditions of employment in this way? Many of us feel that it is quite unfair that he should take it out of the staff.
§ Mr. StewardNeither I, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, nor the Committee as a whole have made any variation in the terms of engagement of the staff of the Refreshment Department. I have said that if the facts are given to me I will investigate them.
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is after half-past three.
§ Mrs. BraddockIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise this matter as soon as possible on the Adjournment.