HC Deb 19 October 1966 vol 734 cc210-1
36. Mr. Rankin

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will apply Government policy on prices to all service departments in the House of Commons.

Mr. Crossman

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Rankin

Is my right hon. Friend saying that the Government have a policy on prices? If that be the case, why is it that there is a 10 per cent. increase in prices in the House of Commons when 3 per cent. is all that is necessary to meet the effect of the Selective Employment Tax? Is it because a loss of £18,000 has been incurred in the working of the Catering Department, and is my right hon. Friend going to inquire into that?

Mr. Crossman

The answer to the first part of the supplementary question is "Yes" and the answer to thesecond part is also "Yes".

Mr. Rankin

What about the third part?

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Dickens.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order. Do I take it from my right hon. Friend's reply that the answer to the third part is also "Yes"?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order.