HC Deb 23 February 1948 vol 447 cc1592-3
31. Commander Noble

asked the Minister of Food what percentage of bananas arriving in this country during 1947 were unfit for consumption.

Mr. Strachey

Some 2 per cent

Commander Noble

What check is made on these cargoes by the officers of the Minister's Department?

Mr. Strachey

We make a careful check, but it is impossible to avoid some losses of bananas in shipment. There were such losses before the war.

Mr. Gammans

Can the Minister give the House any idea of what the losses were before the war?

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir, I cannot produce the figures offhand.