HC Deb 27 July 1911 vol 28 cc1888-90W
Mr. LANSBURY

asked the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Epping Division, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what are the rates of pay and hours worked by the waiters and waitresses in his Department; are any retaining fees paid for the periods when the House is not sitting; and are any men or women taken on for a period less than one day, and are any employed for periods of only two hours?

Colonel LOCKWOOD

The rates of pay of waiters in the House of Commons vary from £l 2s. to 18s. per week, with food and refreshments. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., but half of the staff goes off duty at 9.30 on alternate nights,i.e., those on duty on Mondays and Wednesdays are not on duty on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Friday the House rises at 5 o'clock, and the staff are finished at 6 p.m. On Saturday the staff are engaged cleaning plate, etc., and finish at 1 p.m., when they are paid; they are not required again till Monday at 9 o'clock. Should the House sit till 1.30 a half-day's wages are paid, and after 3.30 one day's pay. Extra waiters are engaged from 6 p.m. till 9.30 p.m., and are paid 3s. 6d., with refreshments. Waitresses are engaged from 3 p.m. till 6 p.m., and are paid 2s., with refreshments. The manager, assistant manager, head waiter and smoking-room waiter (Collins) are paid a yearly salary. Those retained at sums which vary are:—The chef, head cashier, terrace smoking waiter, kitchen clerk, cellar clerk, lobby barman, chief barmaid, and carver.