Mr Robert Maxwell: I have been asked to reply. The Catering Sub-Committee is in favour of this suggestion, not only because it would provide additional facilities to visitors and add to our revenue, but because we believe that it would provide an additional facility, which is badly needed, for Members who wish to make use of the House during the Recess. Towards this aim we have taken positive steps to provide...
Mr Robert Maxwell: As to the first part of the supplementary question, I estimate that about two-thirds of our deficit is due to the wages and extra expenses that the Department has to bear during the Recess. Until recently the deficit was of the order of £3,000 a month, but the Catering Sub-Committee believes that the bulk of these losses have now been stemmed, although this is subject to audit.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I cannot accept the implication that there has been any pressure from any quarter. The Catering Sub- Committee feels that the provision of proper facilities for Members and visitors would be very useful, and it is incumbent upon the Department to make sure that we do not become a burden upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr Robert Maxwell: The security problem is very serious, and the Serjeant at Arms is looking into this. The suggestion of my hon. Friend is a very useful one and we will most certainly examine it.
Mr Robert Maxwell: The office of Chairman of the Catering Sub-Committee is nonpolitical. However, I cannot let the hon. Gentleman's comment pass, as I consider it cheap and beyond the need for reply.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I have been asked to reply. Yes, such matters as long and irregular hours will certainly be taken into account. I would remind the hon. Member, however, that while the burden of long regular hours falls on our permanent staff, the demands of late-night sittings are mainly met by the use on a large scale of casual staff. I think all hon. Members would agree with me in paying tribute to the...
Mr Robert Maxwell: I cannot give the assurance sought by the hon. Gentleman because of the financial circumstances of the Department. The arranging of business is a matter for the Leader of the House.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I have been asked to reply. These reasons are simply the financial position of the Department. I hope, however, to have the proposed increases in force when the House re-assembles after the Summer Recess.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I cannot give an assurance for the reasons which I have stated. My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has been in contact with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I hope to hear what the Chancellor of the Exchequer is willing and able to do for the Department before the House rises. The minute I hear about it I will be in a better position to state what, if anything, can be done about...
Mr Robert Maxwell: I have been asked to reply. As I told ale hon. Gentleman on 19th June, banqueting charges have recently been reviewed in the light of an independent inquiry into the working of the Refreshment Department, which resulted in the need to introduce prices comparable to those elsewhere. I cannot now undertake to reduce these prices, at least until such times as the Department breaks even, or to...
Mr Robert Maxwell: I am aware that out of hundreds of such bookings fewer than two have been cancelled because of the question of price. The prices established compare favourably with those outside. I hope that the hon. Gentleman's constituents will continue to come and enjoy the facilities of the House.
Mr Robert Maxwell: Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that oceanography is a science which we as an island nation should support very strongly as it has tremendous potential not just for purposes of defence, but also for purposes of agriculture, environment, weather control, and all these things to which at present we are not devoting anything like the resources that we should devote—
Mr Robert Maxwell: I am obliged to the hon. Member for giving way. Were the Minister to accept his advice and encourage power generation from coal, is the hon. Gentleman aware that the consequence would be that our export of power generation equipment would be hindered immensely? The chances of selling coal power generation equipment overseas are very poor indeed. For oil, the chances are considerable.
Mr Robert Maxwell: Would the Prime Minister agree that the cancellation of the VG project is a serious blow to our helping Europe to bridge the technology gap? Would he further consider telling France that if she persists in making it difficult for our application to the E.E.C. to be considered, we will withdraw some of our offers of technological co-operation?
Mr Robert Maxwell: Has my right hon. Friend taken any steps, as I suggested last week, with the French Government to invite them to use their good offices with the Algerians, in addition to the Swiss representation?
Mr Robert Maxwell: Will my right hon. Friend say what were the difficulties about getting the Chairman to resign his office? If these difficulties arose out of a contractual obligation between the Minister and the company, would not my right hon. Friend agree, representing as he does the majority shareholder, that arrangements should be made whereby, when a Minister asks a chairman to tender his resignation,...
Mr Robert Maxwell: Hear, hear.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I have been asked to reply. I hope that negotiations now in progress will be concluded at the latest by the reassembly of the House after the Summer Recess.
Mr Robert Maxwell: I am aware that our rates of pay are unsatisfactory, and they are being dealt with. The actions of the Leader of the House are governed by the needs of the House, and people who have taken employment here are well aware of that. Besides an increase in staff wages, it is hoped to improve staff rest room conditions and to set up Whitley Council style joint consultation machinery. I am aware...
Mr Robert Maxwell: I have been asked to reply. As the Services Committee pointed out in March, the continuing losses on the running of the Department and the bank overdraft to finance the deficit were both very considerable. In view of this serious situation, the Catering Sub-Committee urgenly sought remedies, which included certain increases in banqueting prices. Most of the increases are considerably less...
