Written evidence submitted by Jo Swinson
MP
Apologies for the late reply, but I hope my views
can still be considered as part of the review into catering services.
- As a regular user of the House catering services
who has a nut allergy, I can say from experience that the service
for customers with allergies has greatly improved in most outlets
over the last couple of years. Information is much more readily
available on ingredients of the various dishes and most staff
have a greater awareness. In fact in the Adjournment one member
of staff has even remembered my allergy and went out of his way
to make sure I was given bread which did not have nuts in it,
without me even having to ask!
- In one place it is a bit patchier—the Members'
and Strangers' Dining Room—where staff perhaps have not
had the same allergy awareness training. It is often much more
difficult to explain about my allergy, and at times it has even
been suggested that there is nothing I can eat, as everything
may contain nuts (not helpful when three line whips require me
to remain on the Parliamentary estate until after 11 pm, as I
have little option but to eat on site!)
- The good progress on menu information and labelling,
staff awareness and training should definitely continue, as working
within the Parliamentary estate there are dozens if not hundreds
of people who have a food allergy.
- Finally, while my main reason for responding
to this review is regarding allergy, I would make an additional
comment about the recent change to Members' Dining Room, now charging
a flat rate of £15. This seems strange, as it encourages
MPs to have a full three-course meal when dining there or receive
poor value for money. Time-wise and health-wise, regularly incentivising
a three-course meal doesn't seem sensible, plus it ignores the
reality of how many MPs use the dining room - for a bite to eat
with colleagues close to the chamber in between meetings or votes.
It would be much better to return to a system of charging for
what is consumed, allowing MPs to have and pay for three courses
if they so wish, but also catering for MPs wishing a simple main
course supper.
October 2010
|
