§ Mr. HainTo ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what plans he has to upgrade refreshment facilities for large groups of visitors to the House. [7475]
§ Sir Colin ShepherdOn 12 July 1994, the House approved the first report of Session 1992–93 from the350W Catering Committee, "Refreshment provision for line of route visitors". One recommendation was that the area currently occupied by the Westminster hall cafeteria should be converted to a visitor centre, which would provide light refreshments for the public, but that this should only take place once a suitable alternative has been found for the present lunchtime users.
Although initial discussions between officials have been held regarding the proposed nature of a visitor centre, I do have to advise the hon. Member that some 500 people, mainly staff, have lunch daily in the Westminster hall cafeteria; the other outlets currently available to staff would not be able to accommodate the extra customers if the Westminster hall cafeteria was closed before the opening of the new cafeteria in the phase II parliamentary building, which I understand, will not he until 1999. It is therefore highly unlikely that a visitor centre could be open before then.