§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, on the basis of data in the family expenditure survey for 1986, he will state the average percentage income of(a) all retired households, (b) single retired households, (c) retired one-man households and (d) retired one-woman households, in each case in all five quintile groupings, which is derived from (i) original income, (ii) contributory retirement pension, (iii) supplementary benefit and (iv) housing benefit; and what is the total average income of each group in each quintile.
§ Mr. Peter Lloyd[holding answer 12 April 1989]: On the basis of data in the family expenditure survey pensioners' average income cannot be broken down separately into the proportions derived from contributory retirement pensions, supplementary benefit and housing benefit. These sources of income are taken together in column 2.
§ Mr. AshtonTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the hourly rate of pay for waitresses employed in the Members Dining Room; and what rate is paid to agencies supplying waitresses.
§ Mr. AshtonTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons 97W Commission, what is the full establishment of waitresses in the Members Dining Room; and how many are currently employed.
§ Mr. BeithThe full establishment of waiters/waitresses (excluding those who serve only wine) is 15. The current complement is eight.
§ Mr. AshtonTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what discussions the Commission has had with trade union representatives of dining room staff; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BeithNone by the Commission. Formal discussions with union representatives take place with management through the Whitley committee machinery in accordance with recognised procedures.
§ Mr. AshtonTo ask the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, when he expects the Members Dining Room to return to a full complement of fully employed staff.
§ Mr. BeithIt is not possible to be precise. Four more waitresses are expected to begin duties in the very near future and efforts are being made to recruit the staff needed to fill the remaining three posts. I shall arrange for the hon. Member to be informed when the staff is back to full strength.