HC Deb 18 January 1988 vol 125 cc666-7
28. Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Lord President of the Council what were the takings of the House of Commons kiosk in (a) the four weeks to Christmas 1987 and (b) for the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Irving (The Chairman of the Catering Sub-Committee)

I have been asked to reply.

The takings of the House of Commons kiosk in the four weeks to Christmas 1987 were £183,620; the equivalent figure for takings in the calendar year to Christmas 1987 was £525,796. The kiosk did not, of course, operate during the period when the House was dissolved for the general election. Both figures include VAT at 15 per cent. We hope that we will have another record year at the end of this financial year.

Mr. Greenway

May I congratulate my hon. Friend and all those concerned upon those excellent and amazing figures and ask whether the staff will get bonus payments? May I also thank him and his Committee for introducing fudge to the House of Commons during the past year, but may I ask why it costs £2.50 a tin, whereas down the road one can buy the same quantity for only £1? Why is House of Commons fudge so expensive?

Mr. Irving

My hon. Friend, who is an expert at fudge, will realise that there is a vast difference between quality and quantity.

Mr. Dalyell

Would it be a good idea to put The House Magazine on sale at the kiosk? What is the position of The House Magazine, which carries the imprimatur of the coat of arms of Parliament? Is it purely a private enterprise venture? May we know who financed the pulping of a whole issue of the magazine and why a whole issue—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I do not think that that is the responsibility of the Chairman of the Catering Sub-Committee, although it was in order to ask him whether the magazine should be put on sale in the kiosk.