article_snippet: Some of the silver-plated cutlery used in Commons dining rooms could be sold to tourists as souvenirs and replaced by stainless steel knives and forks made in Vietnam.
article_snippet: ‘Dignitaries who come here rightly expect to use silver-plated cutlery – not something one stop short of plastic forks and polystyrene cups.
article_snippet: Commons catering chiefs claim it costs too much to maintain silver cutlery and insist a new £17,000 stainless steel set – made in Vietnam or Taiwan –
article_snippet: ‘Our silver cutlery must be sent back to the manufacturer for refurbishment annually and burnished weekly (rubbed and cleaned) to maintain the manufacturer finish.
article_snippet: This process is becoming more difficult to maintain Our silver cutlery to an acceptable standard.
article_snippet: The officials say it would cost £72,400 over five years to keep Our silver cutlery, including: .
article_snippet: By contrast, a new stainless steel set will cost £17,000 to buy and £6,800 to replace items that go missing.
article_snippet: When the £880 profit from selling off a few worn pieces of silver cutlery for scrap is accounted for, the £880 profit from selling off a few worn pieces of silver cutlery for scrap produces a saving of about £47,000.
article_snippet: But that does not include the potential profit from selling some of Our silver cutlery through Commons gifts shops, which officials are looking at.
article_snippet: a report says ‘the best’ of Our silver cutlery will be kept for a reportMP dining clubs, a Member’s wedding breakfast etc’.