HL Deb 24 April 1980 vol 408 c886

3.17 p.m.

Lord WHADDON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they expect to save in a full year from the closure of catering facilities at the British Embassy Club in Warsaw.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the only saving accruing to Her Majesty's Government as a result of this change is a modest reduction in the cost of utilities, for example electricity. Unfortunately, the cost of preparing this Answer has now dissipated the saving.

Lord WHADDON

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware of the extensive use of the facilities which has been made over many years by British exporters in Poland? Can he tell the House what discussions were held with those commercial interests before this important saving was effected?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, "frequent use" hardly describes the use that was made of these facilities. The club has recently been running at a net loss on account of a falling off in demand for its cooked meals, and the committee therefore decided to withdraw facilities for these after 31st March last.