HC Deb 08 June 1964 vol 696 c7W
45. Mr. Rankin

asked the hon. Member for Holland-with-Boston, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he will inquire from the wholesalers if the chickens supplied for consumption in the dining rooms and restaurants of the House of Commons are factory-fed or home bred.

Sir H. Butcher

No. As I said in my Answer to the hon. Member on 20th April, the Department purchases only from reputable wholesalers and has careful regard to the quality and price of the goods purchased. Amongst the varieties of poultry recently purchased are single poussin, double poussin, spring chickens, roasting chickens and capons. Because our relations with our wholesalers are based on trust, it is not the policy of the Committee to investigate the sources of supply of their wholesalers, neither is it the practice of the Committee to give publicity to any firms by announcing their names in the House.