HC Deb 26 July 1976 vol 916 c3W
25. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Lord President of the Council what plans are being made to make all dining facilities in the Palace of Westminster available to the public during parliamentary recesses.

Mr. Foot

This proposal has been considered by successive Catering Sub-Committees and, most recently, by the Committee of Inquiry chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Mr. Mikardo). Questions that arise are, first, whether, and if so, how far it is right to commercialise the palace and the House; and, second but more important, the very substantial additional security problems that would be created by any increase in the use of the facilities by the public.