Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Sunday 7th April 2013

As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response:

Responsibility for this policy area is a matter for the House of Commons Service.

The costs of catering in the House have been reduced since 2003 and in 2012/13 were a quarter less than five years before; figures are published here: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/commons/transparency-reporting-catering-services/ ). The House of Commons Service is working to further reduce these cost.

The customers for the catering services include around 13,000 pass-holders (Members of both Houses, their staff, House staff, civil servants, contractors’ staff, members of the Press Gallery etc.) as well as members of the public and non pass holding visitors to Parliament. Many of the restaurants and dining room facilities, and their staff, are extensively used to cater for private events at times when they are not required by the House. Much of the net cost to the House arises because of the irregular hours and unpredictability of Parliamentary business. Food and drink prices are regularly reviewed and set at levels benchmarked against similar outlets outside the House.

Decisions relating to the budget for, and charges within, the House Catering Services are matters for the House of Commons Commission, not for the Government.