asked the hon. Member for Dulwich, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what steps it is proposed to take to reduce the delays in servicing in the strangers' refreshment room?

The Kitchen Committee are trying to find additional accommodation, but owing to the limited space available in the Strangers' Refreshment Room, delays in service are bound to arise during the peak periods.

Has my hon. Friend considered the possibility of obtaining the services of some more part-time women to work in that room?

It is not a question of increasing the staff, but of increasing the space available. We cannot put a quart into a pint pot.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that the slowness of the service is due to the total inadequacy of the staff?

I do not agree that the staff is insufficient. There is only a certain serving space, and you cannot put more than a certain number of people in it.