Taxpayer subsidy on Parliamentary Licensed Premises

Dear Mr Alder,

Thank you for your request for information which was received on 8 May
2009.
We will endeavour to respond to your request promptly and in any case by
8 June 2009.

Yours sincerely

Katarina Ndrepepaj

Freedom of Information and Resources Coordinator

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Dear Mr Alder,

Please could you send your request regarding the House of Lords directly
to [email address] .

Yours sincerely

Katarina Ndrepepaj

Freedom of Information and Resources Coordinator

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Dear Mr Alder,

Thank you for your email.

We are still dealing with your request with regard to the House of
Commons data.

Mandy Kelly
Freedom of Information Assistant

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Dear Mr Alder,

Thank you for your email dated 8 May 2009 which is copied below.

This response refers to the House of Commons only. Information relating to your request is held from April 2005.

No public money is spent directly subsidising alcohol sales in the House of Commons. However there is an overall subsidy on the wide range of Catering and Retail services the House of Commons operates. Meals and refreshments, including alcohol, are provided for Members, staff and visitors to Parliament and are delivered in a range of outlets including bars, banqueting facilities, table service restaurants and self service cafeterias. Profits from souvenir sales are included in the accounts.

A Comprehensive list of drinks available in House of Commons outlets is represented on the above attachments, although not all outlets serve all of the items listed.

The overall subsidy provided for the Catering and Retail Service in the House of Commons, since April 2005 is as follows:

2005-06 £5,945,400
2006/07 £4,849,000
2007-08 £5,451,900
2008-09 £6,105,000.

Final accounts for financial year 2008/09 are still being audited and you should be aware that the figures provided for that period are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment. Unlike earlier years, the figures for 2008-09 include staff pensions.

You may, if dissatisfied with the treatment of your request, ask the House of Commons to conduct an internal review of this decision. Requests for internal review should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Officer, Department of Resources, House of Commons London SW1 OAA or [House of Commons request email]. Please ensure that you specify the nature of your complaint and any arguments or points that you wish to make.

If you remain dissatisfied, you may appeal to the Information Commissioner at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Bob Castle
Head of Information Rights and Information Security

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