§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that no adequate canteen arrangements exist for the large staff employed at Leonard Street by his Department; whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by this staff in obtaining adequate lunches sufficiently near to the office in the short luncheon time provided; and whether he will consider either improving luncheon facilities on the premises or extending the time allowed for meals?
§ Major TRYONThe canteen arrangements at Leonard Street consist of a kitchen in which the female staff may have meals prepared and a dining room in which they may partake of the food, and it is understood that the staff are satisfied with these arrangements. There are, in addition, seven men employed by this Ministry in the building who have no special facilities for partaking of food on the premises. I do not consider that at the present time I should be justified in incurring expenditure to make special provision for such a small number or that the circumstances necessitate an extension of the midday meal interval of one hour.