§ Mr. Wardasked the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to provide a decent standard of lavatories, locker accommodation and washrooms for the staff of the House of Commons Refreshment Department, and to ensure that no one is engaged without a medical check and that all staff have periodic medical checks.
Dr. BennettI have been asked to reply.
The present welfare conditions of the staff of the Refreshment Department are not adequate. Lavatories and washrooms are of a reasonable standard, but are not 9W now sufficient for our permanent staff. The provision of additional rest-room accommodation is being considered, but accommodation within the House is dependent on the outcome of the scheme for changes mentioned in paragraph 5:6 of the report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Refreshment Department.
In the interests of hygiene, staff are expected to co-operate with the health authorities at all times. Other medical checks are not considered necessary by the Treasury Medical Adviser.
Mr. Ward askedthe Lord President of the Council if he will bring forward proposals to establish two consumer councils, one for staff and one for Members, to facilitate communication between the catering staff and their customers thus removing the need for a Catering Sub-Committee.
§ Mr. FootI have no such proposals to make at the present time. The managerial functions of the present Catering Sub-Committee extend considerably beyond those of a consumer council.
§ Mr. Wardasked the Lord President of the Council whether he will initiate discussions with the appropriate authorities in the other place on the desirability of placing all catering arrangements within the Palace of Westminster under a single management for operational purposes and to maximise efficiency and best use of resources.
§ Mr. FootI have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion, but any such initiative must clearly depend on the wishes of both Houses.
§ Mr. Wardasked the Lord President of the Council if he will bring forward proposals to make the Refreshment Department a full department of the House of Commons with a budget borne on the Vote of the House.
§ Mr. FootI believe that proposals along these lines would be in the general interests of the House. If the House agrees to the establishment of the new departmental structure proposed in the Bottomley Report, on which it is intended to bring forward legislation, this might provide the appropriate framework for such a change.
10W
§ Mr. Wardasked the Lord President of the Council when he expects to submit proposals to write off the bank overdraft and terminate the private banking arrangements of the House of Commons Refreshment Department.
§ Mr. FootIn the Government's view it is essential that the Refreshment Department should first introduce a proper system of budgetary control. Consideration will then be given to the present overdraft.