§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the cost was of(a) in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by his Department in each of the last four years. [38928]
§ Mr. WillsThe Lord Chancellor's Department also replies on behalf of its associated offices and the Court Service.
Catering services to meet the Department's requirements are provided through contractual arrangements with specialist suppliers.
(a) With reference to the first part of the question, the term "in-house canteen" is taken to mean facilities provided primarily for use by the Department's staff.
Staff canteens are provided at a number of key central locations where staff are concentrated. These facilities are used regularly by staff from other locations and visitors to the Department's premises.
Revenue from sales to staff and visitors is used to defray costs to the Department. However, it is necessary to support the service as outlined:
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Lord Chancellor's Department and associated offices £ 1998–99 140,763.74 1999–2000 141,564.00 2000–01 213,794.86 2001–02 1161,362.92 1 To January. (b) The majority of expenditure on catering services in the Department is required for facilities provided to jurors and other members of the public attending court buildings. Court staff, the legal profession and judges also use these facilities; use by these groups is around 10 per cent. of sales. Catering services are provided at 63 Crown and Combined Court Centres in England and Wales. Revenue from sales is used to defray cost to the Department. The remaining costs for each of the last four years is set out in the table:
Court Service £ 1998–99 1,027,011.00 1999–2000 1,442,516.00 2000–01 1,323,969.00 2001–02 1948,603.00 1 To December.