§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Industry, what was the cost to pubic funds of canteen and other catering facilities provided by his Department for employees (a) in London and (b) elsewhere during 1976 and 1977, respectively; and what contribution was made towards the cost of meals provided for 474W and consumed by employees during working hours by those employees in the same years.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe premises, equipment and services for Civil Service staff restaurants are provided free of charge. The cost to public funds of this provision is not readily available. Each restaurant is currently entitled to graduated subsidy designed to encourage efficiency and some units receive reimbursement for special operating expenses. For my Department the figures are:
London Elsewhere 1976–77: £ £ Subsides 38,449 44,942 Sale of meals 196,207 148,483 1977–78 (6 months only): Subsidies 17,187 23,354 Sales of meals 82,812 68,040