Written evidence submitted by Laurence
Robertson MP
I should like to make the following submission.
The catering throughout the Palace is of mixed standard.
The Churchill Restaurant provides good food, though from a limited
menu and at restaurant prices. Service recently has been slow.
The Strangers and members Ding Rooms, again, provide good food
from limited menus at restaurant prices. The Adjournment I would
assess in a similar way. In my view there should be no attempt
to increase prices.
The Strangers café provides sub-standard food.
On occasions, it is literally uneatable. The choice is also limited.
It should be noted that mainly staff use this café and
any increase in price would be borne by them. In my view, the
poor food reflects the current low prices. I would say the Debate
is similar. The description on the Parliamentary web-site has
to be a joke! Food in 1 Parliament Street is a little better.
Of the bars, Strangers provides good value for money.
The prices are cheaper than in pubs but this would be because
the bar is probably not tied to a pub chain (eg Punch, Enterprise
etc) whereas many pubs are.
As I say, the standards of catering in the Palace
is mixed and I do not, therefore, believe that price increases
can be justified.
I hope this is helpful.
September 2010
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