Written question asked by Greg Hands (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 June 2007. It was answered by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 26 June 2007 on behalf of the House of Commons Commission.

Catering

Question: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how much it has cost to commission the Russell Partnership to conduct a survey into catering services in the House.

Answer: Invoices have not yet been received for this work, but the tendered price to carry out two surveys (one for staff of the House and one for Members’ staff) and to carry out interviews with a sample of around 35 Members is £6,950.The work is being carried out to provide qualitative information for the benchmarking of the House of Commons Refreshment Department’s services, which was recommended by the Administration Committee in their report on Refreshment Department Services (HC 733) published on 14 February 2006.

Secondary information