HC Deb 19 March 1951 vol 485 cc225-7W
68. Mr. Proctor

asked the hon. Member for Bristol, North-East, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, if he will consider the suspension of the sale of alcoholic drinks at 11.30 p.m. in those parts of the Palace of Westminster under the control of the Kitchen Committee.

Mr. Coldrick

The question of suspension of the sale of alcoholic drinks at 11.30 p.m. has frequently been considered in the past by the Kitchen Committee. The overwhelming feeling is against suspension and when it was agreed to close the Strangers' Bar at midnight for a short period, great dissatisfaction was caused and the decision had to be revoked.

69. Mr. Proctor

asked the hon. Member for Bristol, North-East, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what is the cost in overtime payments to the catering staff in respect of all-night Sittings of the House; and what is the estimated loss in this connection.

Mr. Coldrick

The cost in overtime payment to the catering staff when the House sits all night is very considerable. We have no details covering a period, but for the night of Thursday, 8th March, the sum amounted to£46 18s. 2d. I regret that we are unable to estimate the actual loss on a nightly basis, but occasionally the expenditure on overtime exceeds the income.

70. Mr. Garner-Evans

asked the hon. Member for Bristol, North-East, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what arrangements are being made to supplement the staff during late Sittings of the House.

Mr. Coldrick

There is great difficulty in supplementing the staff during late Sittings because, (1) no one is certain of when the House will sit late; (2) there is no unemployed pool from which new staff can be obtained at short notice.

71. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the hon. Member for Bristol, North-East, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what is the total cost per hour caused to his Department by Sittings of the House after 10.30 p.m.; and what items are included in that total cost.

Mr. Coldrick

The total cost per hour when the House sits late is offset by the amount of profit on sales. The main items of cost are overtime and staff food.

72. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the hon. Member for Bristol, North-East, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what are the normal working hours of the staff of the Kitchen Committee; how many hours' overtime they have had to work during the past three weeks as a result of the House sitting after 10.30 p.m.; what provision is made to compensate them, physically and financially, for having to work overtime on such occasions; how many members of the staff were and are affected by this overtime work; and with what results, physically.

Mr. Coldrick

The normal working hours of the staff of the Kitchen Committee are 48 a week excluding meal times. The hours of overtime worked varies for different members of the staff, and the most worked by any one member for the past three weeks were 32 hours. Overtime rates are applicable, and these are paid on a basis of double time. To the best of our ability hours are staggered to provide physical rest. The number of staff involved varies between 20 and 30 people. With regard to the last part of the Question, I can only assume that the effect physically is just as exhausting as it is with Members of this House.

73. Mr. Janner

asked the hon. Member for Bristol, North-East, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, how many members of his catering staff were compelled to work between 2.13 a.m. and 5.41 a.m. on 9th March, 1951, in consequence of the House of Commons being in session during those hours; how long was each of these persons on duty from the commencement of his or her duties, respectively, on 8th March, 1951, and the cessation of those duties on 9th March, 1951; and the approximate cost involved.

Mr. Coldrick

The number of staff engaged for the time stated was 32. They commenced duty at varying times and had some couple of hours or so off duty during the day time. The hours worked by each member varied, but the longest hours any member of the staff was retained was 20, with short intervals of rest. The cost involved was approximately£50.