HC Deb 27 November 1967 vol 755 cc24-6
37. Sir Knox Cunningham

asked the Lord President of the Council whether his inquiry has been completed into the denial by the trade union concerned that the union had reached agreement with the Kitchen Sub-Committee about the abolition of tipping in the refreshment departments of the House of Commons; and if he will make a statement.

41. Mr. Dance

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will now state what proportion of the 7½ per cent. surcharge on Refreshment Department charges will be distributed to the staff as gratuity.

Mr. Crossman

The Select Committee on House of Commons (Services) resolved on 27th July last that all tipping should be abolished, and authorised the Catering Sub-Committee to levy a surcharge of up to 10 per cent. to cover wage increases and gratuities. I have confirmed that the union and staff representatives were informed of this decision, and that they concurred in the abolition of tipping as part of a so-called package deal—that is the raising of wages by 10 per cent., the abolition of tipping, and the institution of a "tronc" for distribution amongst the staff. They also agreed to enter into negotiations about the distribution of the tronc, but their proposals are still awaited. Of the present 7½ per cent. surcharge now being levied, 5 per cent. is used as a contribution to help finance the wage increase, and 2½ per cent. is set aside for the tronc. The Services Committee has recently invited the Catering Sub-Committee to consider whether both the surcharge and the proportion of the surcharge set aside for the tronc might be increased.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Would the right hon. Gentleman give the date of this concurrence and, if it is contained in a letter, publish that letter in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Mr. Crossman

I gather that this took place in the course of normal interchanges between the trade union and the Committee and I have no reason whatever to doubt that it was done in good faith. I want to emphasise that the new Services Committee is now considering the whole matter and has invited the Catering Sub-Committee to consider the question of whether the total surcharge should not be increased and whether the amount of the surcharge allocated as a substitute for tipping should not be increased at the same time.

Mr. Dance

Is the right hin. Gentleman aware that many hon. Members are extremely pleased that for the ambiguous letters "Etc." have been substituted at the bottom of the menus the words …towards an increase in wages and to cover gratuities"? Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this is printed at the bottom of the menus so as to include the proportion of the 7½ per cent. which is used as a substitute for tipping, thereby avoiding confusion in the minds of hon. Members and staff?

Mr. Crossman

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's comment. I was personally responsible for making sure that this change was printed so that people would know exactly what had happened. But I shall not have another change now, because the Services Committee is considering whether we should not increase the surcharge—I think that we can afford to do so now because the Department is doing far better—and the proportion for the tronc. Those who are inveterate tippers would no doubt like to feel that the substitute for tipping was somewhere comparable to what they used to pay.

Mr. Heffer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the 18s. a week increase still leaves our waitresses with little more than £10 a week gross? Is this not a scandalously low wage for anyone and in this House in particular? Should not hon. Members be ashamed that their waitresses are being paid such low wages?

Mr. Crossman

I am glad my hon. Friend has mentioned that. Anyone who thinks that we have been over-generous in the negotiations has not studied them. But, if my hon. Friend wishes to complain, he should discuss it with the Catering Sub-Committee which negotiated this with the trade union.

Mr. Rankin

Does not my right hon. Friend consider it shocking that the wages of a valued body of servants in this House depend on gratuities and overtime? Will he ask the Catering Sub-Committee to inquire into a more dignified way of paying these servants?

Mr. Crossman

I shall shortly be receiving from the Services Committee the first Report of the new Sub-Committee. I think we shall find that it is agreeable reading for the first time for many years and that part of it will be an account of these negotiations. Of course I agree that we should abolish tipping and that it is far better to pay an adequate wage. On the other hand, it is important that, in abolishing tipping, we should abolish it effectively and this is why the Committee has been careful to have, as an interim measure, the statement that, if people insist on tipping, the money goes into a box. I hope that the next stage will be the complete abolition of tipping coupled with the payment of a decent wage.