§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Lord President of the Council (1) whether the new rule that any member of the catering staff who accepts and retains a tip automatically terminates by that act his or her contract of employment, has been agreed with the union of the employees concerned;
(2) under what authority it has been settled that any member of the staff who accepts and retains a tip automatically terminates by that act his contract of employment.
§ Mr. MaxwellI have been asked to reply.
The Services Committee have resolved that tipping should be abolished. This decision has been agreed with the trade union representing the employees of the Refreshment Department. The clause in the contract of employment stating that the acceptance of a tip automatically terminates the contract is a corollary of this. As a result of suggestions made by senior staff, the management have agreed that staff may receive tips for transfer to the staff gratuities fund. This also is a consequence of the Committee's agreement that tipping should be abolished in the House.
§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Lord President of the Council what right of appeal exists, and to whom is such appeal made, by a member of the catering staff of the House of Commons who has his or her contract of service terminated 563W by the act of accepting and retaining a tip from a Member of Parliament.
§ Mr. MaxwellI have been asked to reply.
Any member of the Refreshment Department may bring such staff matters to the attention of the Manager in the first instance, and a further appeal lies to the Catering Sub-Committee if the need arises.