HC Deb 21 July 1980 vol 989 cc20-1
31. Mr. Freud

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the number of meals served in (a) the Members' and (b) the Strangers' Dining Rooms in May and June; how this compares with the numbers for the corresponding months in 1978 and 1979; and if he will make a statement.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Norman St. John-Stevas):

With permission, I will publish the figures in the Official Report. The total number of meals served depends upon the number of days the House sits, and to some extent on the business of the House. The figures show no significant variation in the average number of meals served each sitting day as between the three years.

Mr. Freud

As that answer seems to show that while the price of meals has almost doubled consumption has remained static, should not the right hon. Gentleman think about reviewing the Government's policies on market forces, or would this cause him to double the price of meals yet again?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

That is an interesting general economic point. I shall leave it to the Chancellor of the Exchequer—the other Chancellor—to unwind that conundrum. The figures show that we have pitched prices about right. That enables the Catering Department, of which the hon. Gentleman is a distinguished ornament, to show a reasonable profit. At the same time it enables hon. Members not to starve.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

As the right hon. Gentleman intends to publish the figures in the Official Report, will he go one step further and include the figures for the Press Gallery and for those who write about exorbitant charges and so on? We should like to know what the press is doing about that.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I understand that the press is not starving either. As part of the exercise, Press Gallery prices have been brought fully into line with those prevailing in other parts of the House. A special £ 1 surcharge has been introduced for guests in the Press Dining Room, so that it is equal shares of misery.

Following are the figures:

Total number of meals served (lunches and dinners. Monday—Friday inclusive):

Month and number of trading days Members' Dining Room Strangers' Dining Room
May 1978 (19) … 2,250 1,893
June 1978 (19) … 1,644 1,593
May 1979 (13) … 1,389 960
June 1979 (15) … 1,941 1,670
May 1980 (16) … 1,985 1,512
June 1980 (21) … 2,458 2,088