HC Deb 16 April 1956 vol 551 cc41-3W
46. Mr. Lewis

asked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what price was paid for the pork pies sold at 9d. each in the Members' Tea Room; the reason for increasing these to 1s. each; and why these are now discontinued from sale in the Members' Tea Room.

Sir W. Steward

It is not the practice of the Kitchen Committee to disclose prices paid for commodities. According to information given to me, pork pies have never been sold at a shilling each. The reason they have been discontinued is, that when on sale, the demand in all departments did not reach two dozen per week.

47. Mr. Hunter

asked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, the reasons for increasing the price of a cup of tea in the Members' and public tea rooms by 33⅓ per cent., and the price of a cup of coffee by 20 per cent., at a time when the retail prices of these commodities have been falling.

Sir W. Steward

A revision of the prices of cups of tea and coffee has been made to help to meet the increase in wages for the current year, which will amount to over £4,000.

48. Mr. Lewis

asked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, the percentage increase in the cost of meals in the Members' Dining Room, Tea Room, and Cafeteria since October, 1951.

Sir W. Steward

As the hon. Member was informed in reply to his Question on 30th November, 1953, no figures of prices charged are available for 1951.

Some comparisons can be made between 1952 or 1953 and 1956 which are as follows:

MEMBERS' DINING ROOM
1952* 1956
House luncheon 3s. 3d. 4s. 0d.
Hors-d'œuvre 1s. 6d. 2s. 0d.
Soup 9d. 9d.
Fried fillet of cod and chips 1s. 10d. 2s. 0d.
Grilled plaice and lemon 3s. 0d. 3s. 6d.
Grilled sausages 1s. 6d. 1s. 10d.
Roast beef and horseradish sauce 2s. 6d. 3s. 6d.
Potatoes 4d. 6d.
Cabbage 6d. 6d.
Sultana pudding 6d. 9d.
Apple tart 8d. 9d.
Rice pudding 6d. 6d.
Ice cream 6d. 6d.
Cheddar cheese and biscuits 7d. 1s. 0d.
Gorgonzola cheese and biscuits 1s. 0d. 1s. 6d.
Welsh rarebit 1s. 0d. 1s. 3d.
Roll or bread 1d. 2d.
* Figures for earlier years not available.
CAFETERIA
1953* 1956
Pot of tea 5d. 7d.
Cup of coffee 4d. 6d.
Cup of meat extract 5d. 5d.
Cup of Horlicks 9d. 8d.
Jam 4½d. 4½d.
Cheddar cheese and biscuits 1s. 0d. 8d.
Bread and butter 2d. 1d.
(3 half slices) per slice
Fruit cake 6d. 6d.
Rock cake 3d. 3d.
Swiss bun 4d. 4d.
Jam tart 4d. 4d.
Chelsea bun 3d. 3d.
Doughnut 4d. 4d.
Devon split 4d. 6d.
Fancy pastries 4d.–6d. 5d.
Sausage roll 6d. 6d.
Sandwiches 6d., 8d. 1s. 0d.
and and
1s. 0d. 1s. 4d.
Plate of soup 6d. 6d.
Fish 1s. 9d. 1s. 9d.
Ices 4d. and 6d. 6d.
* Figures for earlier years not available.

MEMBERS' TEA ROOM
1953* 1956
Tea (pot) 5d. 7d.
Tea (cup) 2½d. 4d.
Coffee, cup 4d. 6d.
Horlicks 9d. 8d.
Bovril 6d. 5d.
Milk 5d. 5d.
Bread and butter 2d. 1d.
(3 half slices) per slice
Roll and butter 2d. 3d.
Toast and butter 3d. 3d.
Jam 4½d. 4½d.
Cheddar cheese 6d. 6d.
Danish blue 1s. 0d. 6d. and 8d.
Cakes—
Rock bun 3d. 3d.
Swiss bun 4d. 4d.
Jam tart 3d. 4d.
Chelsea bun 3d. 3d.
Doughnut 4d. 4d.
Fancy pastries 4d. and 6d. 5d.
Biscuits (portion) 3d. 3 for 4d.
Sausage roll 6d. 6d.
Salads—
Green salad 1s. 0d. 1s. 0d.
Egg salad 1s. 6d. 1s. 7d.
* Figures for earlier years not available.