Caterer

We observe that complaint has been made in popular print that nurses in uniform are 'not allowed to eat in the public rooms of some of the largest hotels'. But such a regulation surely cannot be regarded as wholly unreasonable. Consider the effect likely to be produced on nervous old ladies and hypochondriacal gentlemen by discovering a uniformed nurse lunching or dining in close proximity. The idea of infection would be sufficient to deprive the hotel of prompt-paying, if somewhat testy and exacting guests. No hotelkeeper could reasonably be expected to run such risks.

Beer brewed in Hong Kong from distilled sea water was served at a function last week, when the only floating catering establishment with its own brewery retired from active service.

She is the Naafi ship Menestheus, which brewed her own beer on board from distilled seawater, malt extracts and hop concentrates. The ship was fitted with a café, beer bar, ice-cream and soda fountains.

In charge of the brewery was Lt Cdr George Brown, who told Caterer: "Our brewing capacity was 1,800 gallons a day.

Restaurants on London's nine piers could be the capital's next major tourist attraction if a Thames Water Authority plan comes to fruition.

At present, the piers are run by the Greater London Council (GLC) but they pass to Thames Water on the GLC's demise next year.

Thames Water's entrepreneurial ambitions are linked to a desire, backed by the Department of the Environment, to privatise by 1987.

It sees tourist attractions such as the redeveloped piers, water buses and pleasure boats as a strong part of its case for going private.