§ Mr. PONSONBYasked the hon. Member for Cheltenhanm, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he will make arrangements to revert to the pre-War practice of providing 1s. dinners for Members of this House?
§ Sir JAMES AGG-GARDNER:It is the sincere desire of the Committee to meet the wishes and convenience of all Members of the House as far as possible. But I fear the re-establishment of a 1s. dinner presents insuperable difficulties. In the pre-War time, referred to in the question, the cost of material and wages was much below the present standard, and even then these dinners were run at a considerable loss. However during that period the loss was counterbalanced by a subsidy of £2,000 a year. This subsidy has now been withdrawn. In these circumstances, I hope the hon. Member will recognise our inability to adopt the suggestion inspired by his question. But we shall, of course, give the suggestion careful consideration, and endeavour to fulfil it when opportunity may offer.