HC Deb 27 May 1957 vol 571 cc32-4
45. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he is aware of the crowding in the Strangers' Dining Room at lunch time on Tuesday, 21st May due to hon. Members entertaining seven and eight guests each; and what rules govern the number of guests each hon. Member may bring.

Sir William A. Steward

The maximum number of guests which an hon. Member may entertain in the Strangers' Dining Room is three. Occasionally, three hon. Members collectively invite nine guests. If two of the three hon. Members in whose names the booking has been made at the last moment are delayed or unable to attend, it is the practice of the Department to permit the meal to be served, since the absence of the requisite number of hon. Members is frequently not discovered until the guests are all seated. Two incidents of this nature occurred at lunch time on Tuesday, 21st May, and I can only express my regret to the hon. Member for Goole for any inconvenience he may have been caused.

Mr. Jeger

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for the comprehensive and evasive nature of his reply, may I ask him to direct his attention especially to the hon. Member for Leeds, North-East (Sir K. Joseph) and the right hon. and gallant Member for Leicester, South-East (Captain Waterhouse), both of whom had tables at which, in the one case, were seven guests and, in the other case, were eight guests, with no empty chairs whatsoever for the non-existent other hon. Members? Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that, in future, the rules regarding the entertainment of guests are strictly adhered to on both sides of the House, even when there happens to be a Conservative women's conference taking place?

Sir W. Steward

I can assure the hon. Member that these incidents are in no sense a one-way traffic. The Refreshment Department always draws the attention of any hon. Member or hon. Members booking tables to the rule, and it is hon. Members themselves who cause inconvenience to other hon. Members by breaking it. I really do not think that the Refreshment Department can do other than tell hon. Members what the rules are.