§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his Department has discontinued the annual grant of£500 in aid of the Refreshment Room in the House of Commons; whether this reduction has already taken effect or will be introduced in the coming Budget; and how long such grant has been in existence?
Mr. YOUNGIn view of the serious state of the national finances, directions have been given, after communication with the Kitchen Committee of the House, that provision should not be inserted in the Estimates for the coming year for the cash grants hitherto made towards the cost of refreshment facilities in the House. These grants will accordingly cease on the 31st instant. I have no 2213W information as to the exact date of the commencement of public assistance in cash, but a cash grant in some form has been paid at least since 1850.