HC Deb 27 March 1961 vol 637 c956
45. Mr. Turton

asked the hon. Member for Holland with Boston, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what quantities of dairy cream and synthetic cream, respectively, are used each week by the Refreshment Department of the House of Commons.

Sir Herbert Butcher

Since the quantity of cream used varies according to demand, especially between winter and summer, perhaps it would help my right hon. Friend if I gave him two sets of figures. The average weekly consumption in June, 1960, was seven gallons of dairy cream and four gallons of synthetic cream. The corresponding figures for February, 1961, were dairy cream, four gallons and synthetic cream five gallons.

Mr. Turton

Will my hon. Friend's Committee revise its policy, which is at present forcing hon. Members when they entertain their agricultural constituents to offer them spurious imitations of agricultural products?

Sir H. Butcher

I am not an expert in catering. Therefore, it would probably be unwise for me to issue directions to the skilled officers of the Department, but I am sure that they will have taken note of my right hon. Friend's observations.

Mr. de Freitas

But will the hon. Gentleman instruct the Department that whenever synthetic cream or mock milk is served to hon. Members and their guests it is pointed out to hon. Members that they are, in fact, buying synthetic cream or mock milk?

Sir H. Butcher

It is, perhaps, for the Kitchen Committee to conform to the standard of practice of other catering establishments.