§ 36. Mr. John Wellsasked the Lord President of the Council why no English apples, and in particular Cox's Orange Pippins, have been available in the Member's dining room, cafeteria or tea room in the second or third weeks of January, in view of their quality and price at this time of year.
Dr. BennettI have been asked to reply.
Of all apples supplied in January, over 50 per cent. have been English Cox's Orange Pippins. The remainder have been English Laxtons or French Golden Delicious. In order to prevent waste, only one cask of apples is opened at a time.
§ Mr. WellsWhile I appreciate the care which my hon. Friend takes in keeping our apples fresh by opening only one box at a time—this explains the short-age—since the price now charged for apples represents a 400 per cent. profit if he bought them direct from the grower, or even a 100 per cent. profit if he bought them direct from the retailer, might he not always buy a small supply daily from retailers of Cox's, make 100 per cent. profit and give us fresh Cox's every day?
Dr. BennettI am beholden to my hon. Friend for this interesting and helpful commercial suggestion. I assure him that we had already made arrangements that, while the supply of English Cox's Orange Pippins lasted, we would continue to get them.
§ 46. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Lord President of the Council why he has authorised the recent 12½ per cent. increase in prices in Members' eating places in the House.
Dr. BennettI have been asked to reply.
518 Prices in Members' eating places in the House have had to be increased in order to meet the rise in the cost of supplies and the increases in pay of the staff of the Department, which were granted to them in December last.
§ Mrs. ShortI thank the Chairman of the Kitchen Committee for that reply. Does he not think that there have been many increases during the past year? When he wants to put up prices, should he not consult hon. Members, and certainly give them notice, which he did not do? Ought he not to give more attention to the whole subject of feeding in the House of Commons so as to improve standards?
Dr. BennettThe last increase in the price of meals and the like served to hon. Members was more than a year ago, in January, 1970, if my records are correct. I owe the House an apology in that we did not promulgate these increases, which were agreed by the sub-committee without dissension. It was my view that we should see the prices on the menus and price lists in good time, but I gather that this was not the case. Clearly, we should have asked the Whips to circulate an announcement.
As for maintaining prices, we have to make each of the so-called eating places severally pay its own way individually. That is the only way to proceed.
§ 47. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Lord President of the Council what proposals he has to improve the quality and choice of dishes available to Members in the dining rooms, cafeterias and tea rooms in the House.
Dr. BennettI have been asked to reply.
It is my constant desire to improve the quality and choice of the dishes available to Members in the dining rooms, cafeterias and tea rooms in the House, but at the same time I am trying to keep the cost of food to a minimum. The greater the choice the more risk there is of waste and, therefore, an increase in costs.
§ Mrs. ShortThe Chairman of the Kitchen Committee has been singularly unsuccessful in both his aims. Is he not aware that the standard of food has 519 decreased—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—and has deteriorated to the same extent—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—hon. Members opposite never eat in the House of Commons—as prices have increased? Will the hon. Gentleman spend some time in the Members' tea rooms and the cafeterias where many Opposition Members eat and where they have to eat when they are kept at the House of Commons for many hours during the day and night? Will he see whether some new ideas, such as those already put before the Committee, can be introduced in order to increase the variety?
Dr. BennettMy experience in these matters hitherto was somewhat limited until I found myself in this appointment. I must assure the hon. Lady that I do not lack good advice, and I hope that I take most of it.
§ Dame Irene WardIs my hon. Friend aware that most hon. Members who are sane think that my hon. Friend has made a great improvement in the food?
§ Dame Irene WardIs he also aware that the House as a whole would like my hon. Friend to convey to the staff our appreciation of the way that they have tried to help us? If nobody else will say it, I say that the Labour Government did not make much of a show when they chose the wrong Chairman.
Dr. BennettI thank my hon. Friend for her kind remarks, without any reference to my previous qualifications. I am glad to have the opportunity of passing on to the staff the thanks of the House for their performance during these all night sittings. I had occasion to do so a week or so ago.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisWill the Chairman of the Kitchen Committee explain why it is that, although it has no costs for heat, rent, rates, light, furnishings, cleaning or anything of that description, which form part of the heavy overheads of any private concern—accepting that wages should go up—that it is still possible to go across the road and to get food cheaper? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Will the Chairman follow my example and stop eating here?