§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the cost to public funds of canteen and other facilities provided by his Department for employees: (a) in London, and (b) elsewhere during 1976 and 1977, respectively; and what contribution was made towards 528W the cost of meals provided for and consumed by employees during working hours by those employees in the same years.
§ Mr. John GrantThe information is not available in the precise form requested, but the following details are supplied.
Subsidies in kind. Civil Service Staff restaurants throughout the country are provided free of charge with premises, equipment and services. The cost to public funds of this provision is not readily available.
Subsidies in cash. Each restaurant is currently entitled to a graduated subsidy designed to encourage efficiency. The cost of these cash subsidies for the financial year 1976–77 and for the first six months of the financial year 1977–78 is set out below:
1976–77 1st 6 months of 1977–78 London £7,664 £2,300 Elsewhere £41,116 £16,414 The contribution made by employees towards the cost of meals consumed during the same periods is set out below:
1976–77 1st 6 months of 1977–78 London £54,743 £21,880 Elsewhere £227,076 £90,745