§ 84 Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Food in view of the shortage of poultry food, if he will encourage the manufacture of dried green bananas for use as a poultry food.
§ Dr. SummerskillNo, Sir. I am not aware of any supplies of green bananas available for this purpose and dried bananas being almost entirely carbohydrate would not be a substitute for protein food which is mainly required.
§ 99. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that bananas can be dehydrated; that there is a shortage of bananas in Great Britain and especially in Scotland; and if, in view of the shipping shortage, he will encourage
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§ Dr. SummerskillEvery encouragement is being given to the development of Cassava starch production in the British Colonies and it is hoped that those which had prewar exportable surpluses and other Colonies which are anxious to develop the Cassava starch industry will soon be in a position to offer starch of the quality required by the United Kingdom and at competitive prices.
Following is the information:
The prewar imports of cassava (or tapioca) in form of flour or starch, other than foodstuffs tapioca, were as follow:
the manufacture of dehydrated ripe bananas.
§ Dr. SummerskillYes, Sir. But as my right hon. Friend said last Wednesday, I think people prefer their bananas fresh. I can assure my hon. Friend that ample shipping is available for the transport to this country of all the fresh bananas we can obtain, and that Scotland is receiving its full share.