§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) in the light of the Government reception at the Randolph Hotel in March, what directives have been given to the Government Hospitality Fund with regard to the holding of receptions on premises which are being picketed;
(2) what is the policy of the Government Hospitality Fund with regard to organising receptions and other functins on premises which are the object of industrial pickets.
250Wthe Official Report the minimum and maximum price levels reached in the calendar year 1976 on international commodity markets or the London Metal Exchange of the following commodities: coffee, cocoa, tea, sugar, cotton, jute, rubber, copper, tin, bananas, bauxite, iron ore, manganese and phosphates.
§ Mr. MeacherThe information for specific grades of the commodities is as follows:
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe reception at the Randolph Hotel was arranged by the Government Hospitality Fund in consultation with the Department of Industry. The general practice is for the Government Hospitality Fund to avoid using premises where it is known that any circumstances, including industrial action, might cause embarrassment to guests of Her Majesty's Government, and instructions have now been given to this effect.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Minister for the Civil Service if it is the policy of the Government Hospitality Fund to take into account the extent of union membership of the labour force of hotels and other premises before placing bookings for receptions and other functions.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe Government Hospitality Fund places bookings at hotels and other premises on the basis of their suitability for the particular occasion and not on the basis of the degree of union membership in the labour force involved.