HC Deb 03 May 1954 vol 527 cc23-4
42. Sir R. Perkins

asked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he will arrange for maupygernon to be included on the menu in the Members' Dining Room on 14th May.

Mr. Steward

According to available records, the. last occasion upon which "A Mess of Maupygernoun" was served in the Palace of Westminster was at the Coronation banquet of Charles II, who graciously accepted the dish but, after examining it, decided not to partake thereof. It is felt that most hon. Members would probably do likewise. I regret, therefore, it is not proposed to comply with my hon. Friend's request.

Sir R. Perkins

Does my hon. Friend know what this dish is and how to cook it?

Mr. Steward

Historians are divided as to the exact composition of this delicacy. According to some, it is a comparatively simple decoction of chicken, heavily spiced with ginger and cloves. There is, however, a much grimmer recipe, based on hogs' kidneys and flavoured with ingredients suggesting the witches' cauldron in "Macbeth." I think it would be too risky to try this out on hon. Members, whose attendance at this House is so much sought after by the party Whips.