HL Deb 12 May 1942 vol 122 cc945-7
LORD SOUTHWOOD

My Lords, I desire to ask His Majesty's Government the following question of which I have given notice—whether they will explain the steps that they propose to take to deal with the problem of luxury feeding in hotels and restaurants.

THE MINISTER OF FOOD (LORD WOOLTON)

My Lords, an Order is about to be made which restricts the number of courses in any meal served in a public restaurant to a maximum of three. The Order also enables me to prohibit the service of fish, game and poultry on certain days in the week, when I consider it necessary to take such action in order to enable domestic consumers to purchase a reasonable share of the supplies that are then available. The consumption of food in catering establishments will be prohibited between the hours of 11 p.m. in the provinces and 12 midnight in the Metropolitan Police District and 5 a.m. except to a resident in a hotel, or at catering establishments which have been specially licensed for the service of meals to night workers and travellers. The price of meals will be restricted to a maximum of five shillings. In order to prevent catering establishments from increasing their charges for other items so as to make up for the reduction in the charge for food, the Order will restrict the charge which can be made for dancing, cabaret, service when added to the bill, and for whisky, gin and beer served with a meal. Where necessary I may, by licence, in exceptional circumstances authorize a catering establishment which would not otherwise be able to remain open to make a "house charge" additional to the maximum charges permitted under the Order: but this will not increase the value of the food which such an establishment will be able to provide compared with other establishments. The amount of this "house charge" will be shown compulsorily on the menu. The general provisions of the new Order will come into operation on 1st June, but the issue of licences for the service of meals during prohibited hours and for giving authority for making a "house charge" may not be completed until 15th June.

LORD ADDISON

My Lords, I desire to ask the noble Lord whether there is anything to prevent the "house charge," for example, being, say, more than is charged for a meal. Is any restriction on the amount of the "house charge" made or are there other unspecified charges mentioned in the Order?

LORD WOOLTON

My Lords, in reply to the noble Lord opposite I am advised that it is not proper in making an Order for the Minister to restrict himself, therefore I have not dealt specifically with that problem, but I can assure the noble Lord that the amount I shall permit as a whole will be very severely considered.

LORD ADDISON

May I take it that the amount of the "house charge" will be subject to the noble Lord's sanction?

LORD WOOLTON

Entirely, and it will have to be supported by figures.

LORD NATHAN

May I ask the noble Lord—because it is a little difficult to follow fully the very important statement which he has made—how far the prohibition of the service of meals between midnight in the Metropolitan area, or eleven o'clock elsewhere, and five o'clock in the morning will affect the position of canteens for members of His Majesty's Forces which will not be covered by the phrase he used as to night workers?

LORD WOOLTON

I am not sure whether the question is in order, but I have no hesitation in answering it. I should give a licence to such people.