HC Deb 27 October 1976 vol 918 cc237-8W
Mr. John Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will require those licensed stallholders operating within the Royal Parks who charge 40 pence for a canned drink to reduce their charges.

Mr. Guy Barnett

With one minor exception in Bushy Park, the Secretary of State does not license stallholders as such to sell canned drinks within the Royal parks. At times of peak demand the caterers who run restaurants and cafeterias may be allowed to operate additional selling points in the same or a neighbouring park at prices not exceeding those approved for the cafeterias. A price of 40p would not be approved for an ordinary can of soft drink, and I would be very glad to have details if the hon. Member could show that such a price was charged at a stall belonging to one of our licensed caterers and not by one of the pirate traders who plague us in the summer.

Mr. John Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many stallholders are licensed to sell drinks, ice cream and hot dogs within the royal parks; what is the period and cost of each licence; and if a condition of a licence is the prominent display of the price of all goods being offered for sale.

Mr. Guy Barnett

Not more than one caterer has a contract to operate in any Royal park, with the exception of Richmond Park where there are two. These contractors are mainly concerned with the operation of restaurants and cafeterias. They are often allowed additional selling points according to demand but they are not allowed to sub-contract these facilities without the authority of the Department. The contracts are generally for a five-year term and the contractor is required to pay the Department an agreed proportion of his receipts. It is a condition of these contracts that the prices of all goods offered for sale should be displayed, and this applies to extra selling points as well as to the principal establishments.

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