§ 22. Mr. Blackasked the Minister of Food to what extent the supply of bananas available for the home market is increasing; and when he anticipates that it will be sufficient to meet the demand.
§ Mr. WebbThere was a gradual increase in supply from 1946 to 1949, but, mainly as a result of damage by storms in some of the producing countries, the increase has, unfortunately, not been maintained this year. We are at present only getting almost one half of our prewar supplies, but I hope we shall do rather better than this next year. I cannot forecast when demand is likely to be fully met.
§ Colonel RopnerCan the Minister say why there are so many more bananas all over the Continent than there are here?
§ Mr. WebbThere are more—not so many more as all that—because the price is quite beyond our capacity to pay.