HC Deb 13 April 1965 vol 710 cc180-1W
Sir D. Kaberry

asked the Minister of Aviation 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.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

There are four staff canteens in inner London. The minimum price of a two-course meal is 1s. 11d. and the average price 2s. 8d. These prices cover the cost of purchases, preparation and service. Rentals are not included as the premises are provided free of charge as authorised by the Treasury. All payments are included in the appropriate expenditure votes (Supplies, Wages, Salaries etc.) and all takings in Appropriations in Aid. Trading is operated on a no profit no loss basis and a Consolidated Trading Account for all directly managed canteens is produced annually. For the last three years the average operating surplus has been approximately £2,100 on an annual turn-over of approximately £530,000.