Jan Higgins wrote:Barry, having been involved with the pub trade since my late teens I know a lot of business is done in bars but not one of those bars was subsidised by the tax payer. With the greatest respect I am not interested how you conduct your business that is up to you, my father was a successful businessman so I know all about networking.
There is no sound reason why the Houses of Parliament should have any bars yet alone have the tax payer pay for them. I can't help but wonder how many of the stupid plans by past and present MPs have been thought up and even voted in after too many drinks at these paid for by the tax payer bars.
Jan - there are many people working in Parliament, not just MPs and Peers who, in fact, are in the minority. Many employers in both the private and public sector provide subsidised food facilities, specially as in Parliament where the hours are unsocial. There is nothing new here. Are you against subsisised canteens in hospitals?
To be frank I personally am not defending the subsidies themselves but I most certainly defend the provision of the bars and restaurants in Parliament. These are important for the conduct of business of which networking is a major part as it is for business.