§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the cost to public funds of canteen and other catering facilities provided by his Department for employees (a) in London and (b) elsewhere during 1976 and 1977, respectively; and what contribution was made towards the cost of meals provided for and consumed by employees during working hours by those employees in the same years.
§ Mr. MeacherCivil Service staff restaurants are provided free of charge with premises, equipment and services. These costs are not readily available. Each restaurant is currently entitled to a graduated subsidy designed to encourage efficiency and some units receive reimbursment for special operating expenses.
For my Department the figures are:
1976–77 1977–78 (6 months only) (a) London: £ £ Subsidies 18,354 8,693 Sale of meals 101,508 45,787 (b) Elsewhere: Subsidies 12,710 7,691 Sale of meals 65,757 36,364