The figures also showed that the British taxpayer contributed around £600,000 less than in 2011-12.

The sales of Parliamentary souvenirs and gifts are used to offset the spending on the bar and catering services, which helps the costs look smaller.

But these latest figures, which have been released following a freedom of information request, show that without the souvenir income the subsidised bars and restaurants ran at a loss of £4.9m in 2012-13. That was down from a cost of £5.5m the previous year.