Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 March 2016
03 Mar 2016 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time
Food Waste
I guess that it is all a matter of taste. I quite like the coffee that we get in committees. In fact, I think that we are very lucky to get coffee in committees at all. These are hard times; we have austerity.
I have heard such comments over the past couple of years, and I know that Parliament staff have had coffee tastings for members for them to choose what they thought was the best coffee. I do not know what else we can do, to be perfectly honest. The fact that the coffee urns are often empty suggests that most people are quite happy with the coffee that is offered.
I am trying to think on my feet and come up with a solution. It is possible to get very good coffee bags, and we could probably supply some really hot water.
In the same item of business
2. John Wilson (Central Scotland) (Ind)
Ind
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it disposes of food that is left over from events and functions. (S4O-05594)
Linda Fabiani (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body)
SNP
Our events and catering teams work closely with event organisers to provide guidance on food choices and, most important, the amount of food required. Any le...
John Wilson
Ind
According to Greener Scotland, every year 380,000 tonnes of food and drink is thrown away that did not have to be, costing the Scottish public more than £1 b...
Linda Fabiani
SNP
Those discussions go on all the time. Because the Parliament takes very seriously its responsibilities to try to reduce all waste, including food waste, we h...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Many of us would like to increase the amount of food and drink for disposal. I refer in particular to the coffee in committee rooms. On behalf of my colleagu...
Linda Fabiani
SNP
I guess that it is all a matter of taste. I quite like the coffee that we get in committees. In fact, I think that we are very lucky to get coffee in committ...
Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I share Mary Scanlon’s concerns about the coffee and I compliment her on her efforts to improve its quality. I have observed something that might help the c...
Linda Fabiani
SNP
It is me again. Laughter. I am going to pass the buck: perhaps the next corporate body could look at the issue. However, I suggest that people get a bit mo...
Dennis Robertson (Aberdeenshire West) (SNP)
SNP
I am sure that Linda Fabiani is not expecting this question, either. On the same topic of food waste, I wonder whether the SPCB has considered—it probably ha...
Linda Fabiani
SNP
Um—Laughter. I tell members what: there are folk in this establishment who are paid to look at such options. I am sure that they are listening avidly to this...