asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will make a statement on the non-profitability of the House of Commons Refreshment Department.

Ministers and the Chairman of the Catering Sub-Committee are well aware that this is an extremely serious problem and that it cannot be allowed to continue. Steps have recently been taken towards the appointment of a Financial Controller and the introduction of a system of budgetary control in the Department, as recommended by the Committee of Inquiry chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Mr. Mikardo). I hope that this will provide the basis for a permanent improvement of the position.