§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the subsidy of £40,000 per annum paid by Great Britain and Jamaica, by securing to the banana growers the advantage of competition of British markets, has absolutely failed, through the subsidised company combining with the United Fruit Company of America; and whether, seeing that, instead of developing Jamaica bananas, they have increased the importation of the Costa Rica bananas, planted and grown specially since the subsidy was granted, he can state what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The Secretary of State is not prepared to admit that the subsidy referred to has failed in its main object of assisting the development of the Jamaica banana trade. It is not proposed to take any action in the matter.