Restaurants: Service Charge

Baroness Hussein-Ece Excerpts

Monday 30th November 2015 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Courtown]

My Lords, somebody behind me whispered, “And be generous”. The noble Lord is quite right. However, I know only too well that the noble Lord the Chairman of Committees actually enjoys coming to the Dispatch Box, so I suggest, if I may, that the noble Lord pose the question to him.

[Baroness Hussein-Ece (LD)]

Is the Minister aware that in some instances staff rely on those tips for topping up their very low salaries? I have also come across occasions in some restaurants where staff receive tips and nothing else. Are any measures in place to monitor this kind of disgraceful behaviour?

[The Earl of Courtown]

The noble Baroness of course will be aware that everybody must be paid the national minimum wage.