Memorandum by the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association
BACKGROUND
The CPA UK Branch spends in excess of £16,000
per year (£13,500 in FY 2004-05) from its Grant-in-Aid budget
in the Refreshment Department of the House of Commons, with a
smaller sum of some £1,000 to the House of Lords' Refreshment
Department, in support of its programme by:
— Entertaining visiting groups (up
to 60) of parliamentarians in the dining rooms for lunches and
dinners as part of the core activities of the Branch.
— Entertaining visiting Commonwealth
parliamentarians in the dining rooms throughout the year.
— Purchasing gifts from the shops for
both outward and inward delegations.
The Branch works on behalf of its members in
both Houses and considers that all the activities of the Refreshment
Department should be of the highest standard, reflecting all that
is good about British cuisine and goods and give the best value
for money (vfm).
THE CHALLENGES
We recognise the complexities of running the
House of Commons Refreshment Department and compliment the catering
and restaurant staff for their cheerfulness and patience. However,
we should like the Administration Committee to consider and address
the following challenges:
— A wider range of menus in Dining
Rooms A-C incorporating regional dishes and curries, with less
heavy menus being available.
— A much speedier service in the Churchill
Room at lunch times, when timings are particularly tight.
— The Terrace Pavilion buffet being
available from Easter on; the buffet makes entertaining very flexible
in terms of timing and dietary restrictions. The venue is popular,
but a better maitre'd service is required.
— A speedier service in the Adjournment
restaurant, where the menu is lighter, and the installation of
an much more effective extractor system.
— Charges should be the same as for
members as there appears to be an anomaly between the Strangers
and Members Dining Rooms—the Branch entertains members'
guests and members.
— A complete revamp of the House of
Commons' Shop with better facilities, a wider and better range
of quality goods (the House of Lords' Shop has much better goods
that are also better vfm) and a more helpful and friendly staff.
— Access for Staff. The Terrace Restaurant
and the Debate are crowded at lunchtimes. Should there continue
to be a separate area reserved for members at the Terrace?
3 November 2005
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