Question

To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2018 to Question 131599 on House of Commons: Catering, what guidance is available to customers who wish to pay a (a) tip and (b) gratuity to House of Commons catering staff by (i) cash and (ii) debit or credit card; and if he will make a statement.

On all dining room bills and menus the following information is written:

‘Tips given in cash are shared amongst all front of house staff, tips given on credit cards are distributed to permanent front of house staff’

When paying by debit or credit card only, the payment handheld machine will ask if the customer wishes to pay a tip or gratuity, yes or no.

The facility for paying tips or gratuities is only available in dining rooms and bars.

There is no facility to be able to pay for a tip or gratuity in most cafeterias or café bars. This is due to these venues being deemed as self-help although tip boxes are available for customers to give tips in some venues and this is shared amongst the staff.

On all banqueting events a 12.5% service charge on room hire and food and beverage spend is applied and distributed to staff via their monthly pay.

Catering staff have been made aware of these arrangements to help inform customers.