House of Commons to market mineral water

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 16

House of Commons to market mineral water

By

TONY VERDON

in London

The House of Commons Refreshment Department will market its own brand of English mineral water in an attempt to reduce imports of foreign bottled water.

The British Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, has often complained about the growing sales of foreign water in Britain, particularly Perrier from France.

She has argued that British mineral water is just as good, and is reportedly renowned for banning foreign mineral water from her own table. During the recent election campaign she apparently insisted on bottles of Malvern water being displayed prominently at her press conferences. But according to the '“Daily Telegraph," every

year thousands of bottles of Perrier are consumed by members of Parliament and their guests in the banqueting suites, bars and restaurants in the Palace of Westminster.

The chairman of the Commons’ catering subcommittee, Mr Charles Irving,, will arrange a “tasting” session to select Westminster’s new mineral water.

It will be sold as “Parliamentary Water,” bearing the Commons’ green and gold portcullis crest. Both still and sparkling varieties will be available.

Mr Irving, a Conservative member of Parliament, agrees with his leader about foreign water being consumed at Westminster.

“Mrs Thatcher is absolutely right in feeling that

it was ridiculous that people are drinking French mineral water in the mother of Parliaments when we have some of the finest mineral water available here,” he said.

- Mr Irving has already singled out what he believes will be a front runner, water from a spring in the Cotswolds, near the source of the Thames.

The “Telegraph” said this would have added Parliamentary connections, as the Thames flows past the Palace of Westminster.

The Commons apparently already does a roaring trade in its own brands of alcoholic drinks, including whisky, champagne, wine and sherry.

These are on sale along with everything from chocolates and pens.