§ 55. Mr. Butcherasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that as a result of the failure of his Department to make fresh bananas available for a child lying ill in Boston hospital from coeliac disease, from 10 to 15 parcels of bananas are arriving each day at the hospital and at the home of the child's parents; and to avoid the irregular spacing of supplies consequential upon this method of securing fresh bananas for a sick child, if he will arrange upon production of proper- medical evidence for regular supplies of this fruit to be made available to sufferers from this disease
§ Sir B. SmithThe answer to the first part of the question is, "No, Sir." I 1919 have however, made arrangements for people suffering from coeliac disease to be able to get ample and regular supplies of dried bananas which. I am informed by my medical advisers, are as suitable for these patients as fresh bananas. I do not propose, therefore, to make any special arrangements for them to get fresh bananas. It would not, in any case, be possible to guarantee that regular supplies of this fruit will be available.
§ Mr. ButcherBecause of the failure of the right hon. Gentleman's Ministry, which has been the subject of adverse comments in the national newspapers, is it not a fact that generous people send fresh bananas to suffering children? Why should there not be proper organisation, instead of this waste and red tape?
§ Sir B. SmithThe short answer is that fresh bananas are not in constant supply. I cannot guarantee fresh bananas when they are not in the country. My expert medical advisers assure me that dried bananas are equally good, and I have a' stock for this purpose.