§ Mr. Lewisasked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what price per lb. he pays for the ham sold in the Members' Cafeteria; if he is aware that the 276W controlled retail price of the best quality ham is 8s. per lb.; and if he will explain the discrepancy on the charge made of 2s. 5d. for a plate of ham sold in the Members' Tea Room when these plates contain only 3 oz. of ham; and for what purpose he uses the profit of almost 4d. per oz. on the maximum retail price of this ham.
§ Mr. StewardThe following is the reply:
- (1) 4s. 2
d. per lb. uncooked. - (2) Yes.
- (3) Average portion is 3½ oz. cooked ham.
Average weight uncooked gammon approximately 15 lb.Average loss of weight in cooking plus skin is 3 lb.Average loss of weight for bone and trimmings 1¼ lb.Net amount approximately 9 lb. 12 oz. equals approximately 45 portions at 2s. 5dCost £3 2s. 8d. Sale price £5 8s. 9d., gross profit on turnover 41.4 per cent.(4) Towards the cost of wages, plant and equipment.
§ Mr. Lewisasked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, the price he pays per lb. for the apples sold in the Members' Tea Room; How many apples, on average, he receives per lb.; why Members are charged 5d. each for apples weighing, on average, between two or three oz.; and what profit he makes per lb. of apples sold.
§ Mr. StewardThe following is the reply:
- (1) varies from is. 4d. to Is. 6d. per lb. They are Cox's Orange Pippins.
- (2) four or five per lb.
- (3) five apples at 5d. each equals 2s. Id. income with cost at Is. 4d. per lb. gross profit on turnover is 36 per cent.
This presumes that the whole of the apples bought are sold, which is not always the case.