HC Deb 11 May 1981 vol 4 cc478-9
20. Mr. Cryer

asked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the total number of staff in the Refreshment Department.

Mr. Goodhew

I have been asked to reply.

The total number of staff employed in the Refreshment Department is 244.

Mr. Cryer

Will the hon, Gentleman confirm that a fair proportion of that 244 is employed in the private dining rooms and that the private dining rooms have received a subsidy? Are there any plans to publish the bookings of the private dining rooms so that hon. Members are made aware, if they so wish, whether the private dining rooms are being used by outside lobbying and public relations organisations? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at the moment those bookings are not available and there is a strong suggestion that that is because of a covering of such lobbying?

Mr. Goodhew

I shall take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said. I remind him that fewer than one-third of those who use the Palace of Westminster catering facilities are the responsibility of the Commission.

Mr. Heddle

Will my hon. friend confirm that it is still the policy of the Refreshment Department, wherever possible, to buy British and that the recent appearance of the glass water jugs marked "Made in Poland" is simply a recognition of the sea change which is taking place in that country?

Mr. Goodhew

That matter has not come into my purview. I believe that the country of origin would be acceptable to most hon. Members.

Mr. Freud

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Refreshment Department employs two and a half times as many people as the Department of the Library and that, to date, not one of them has married a Member of Parliament? Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House where the Refreshment Department has gone wrong?

Mr. Goodhew

I am not responsible for the fact that none of them has married a Member of Parliament.

Mr. English

I presume that the last question related to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, who is married to an ex-member of the Library staff.

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that it would be desirable if the printers of House of Commons papers were placed in the same position as members of the Refreshment Department staff? The Refreshment Department was rightly taken into the purview of the Commission, which was an excellent idea. Our papers might be produced a little better if we took control of our printers as well.

Mr. Goodhew

I note what the hon. Gentleman says. I shall see that those concerned deal with the matter expeditiously.

Mr. Christopher Price

The hon. Gentleman is a Commissioner.

Mr. Goodhew

Indeed, I am, and I am doing my best to make it clear that I accept the responsibility with dignity—I hope.