§ Captain Duncanasked the Minister of Food if he will now make a statement on the future purchase of bananas by his Department.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI consider that it is no longer expedient that the Government should continue to be the sole importer of bananas. I am therefore considering, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how and when my Department could most conveniently withdraw from this trade. We must of course be satisfied that Colonial suppliers, including Jamaica, with whom Her Majesty's Government have a contract, are able to make satisfactory arrangements for marketing their bananas in this country.