§ Sir D. Kaberryasked the Minister of Power how many staff and other canteens are established and run in his Department's offices in London; what is the lowest price charged for a midday meal; what is the average price charged; whether those prices represent the economic cost of purchases, preparation, service and rentals; how much profit is made, or how much loss sustained in a year; and how a loss is dealt with in the annual accounts or estimates of his Department.
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§ Mr. John MorrisMy right hon. Friend's Ministry has one luncheon club in London operated by a management committee of users. The prices of the meals are fixed by the Committee and there is a special three-course meal at 1s. 11d. The average price charged is 2s. 9d.
The prices are designed to cover the costs of food, labour and certain minor overheads. No payment is made for rent, rates, fixed equipment, light, heat and fuel, which are borne on the Vote of the Ministry of Public Building and Works. The Ministry is responsible for the cleaning, but this responsibility is discharged by means of an equivalent cash subsidy.
Trading is operated on a no profit, no loss, basis taking one year with another. The profit made in the year ended 31st December, 1964, was £447. The question of dealing with a net loss has not arisen in the thirteen years of operation of the canteen.