§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what is the annual cost of providing(a) the Press Bar and (b) dining and refreshment facilities in the press section at the House; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Colin ShepherdThe management accounts of the Refreshment Department do not provide for the separate allocation of costs between(a) the Press Bar, and (b) the Press Cafeteria and Dining Room.
In the year ended 31 March 1992, a trading surplus of £25,000 was returned from the Press Gallery refreshment facilities. However many of the overhead costs of the Refreshment Department including most staff costs, are borne on the votes for House of Commons: Administration and House of Commons: Accommodation Services. None of these costs are apportioned directly to the Press Gallery facilities.
Refreshment Department facilities in the Press Gallery are also open to staff of the Official Report who make significant use of them.