HC Deb 06 November 1967 vol 753 cc59-60W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware that on four occasions during the past 22 years the Kitchen Committee have declared that tipping in the Members' Dining Rooms, etc., will cease; and what action he proposes to take, different from that taken in the past, to ensure the ending of tipping.

Mr. Crossman

I am aware that several previous attempts have failed to solve this problem. This time, however, the contract of employment specifically states that the acceptance and retention of a tip terminates an employee's contract.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will state the number of cancellations that have been received for the hiring of dining rooms, etc., for private functions since the announcement of increased charges; whether he is aware that the charges are now so high as to prevent all but the

what was the corresponding figure for the same months last year.

Mr. Hoy

The figures are as follows:

wealthiest of organisations from booking dinners in the House of Commons on Friday and Saturday evenings; and whether he will take steps to reduce the charges.

Mr. Crossman

At the end of the past Session there had been 20 cancellations out of about 450 bookings. The increases will shortly be reviewed.