§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware that, during the period of severe restraint on wages, prices and incomes, the Catering Sub-Committee raised the prices of meals in the House, before any wage increases to staff had been applied and whether he will refer all such price increases to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
§ Mr. MaxwellI have been asked to reply.
The Catering Sub-Committee raised the price of meals in the House in order to counteract the continuing losses on the running of the Refreshment Department. The losses have now been stopped and it has now been possible to increase the wages of staff by 10 per cent. The answer to the last part of the question is "No."