asked the Minister of Food whether his Department is purchasing the 1947 crop of Cameroon bananas on the basis of f.o.b. or c.i.f.; and what price per ton is being paid.

I am proposing to buy the whole of the exportable banana crop from the Cameroons but the final terms of the purchase have not yet been settled.

Will the Minister inform the House whether tonnage is available at present to transport the entire crop?

Yes, Sir. The refrigerated tonnage position is not easy, but I think we shall manage that.

Is the Minister aware that refrigerated banana ships which could deal with this crop are being used to bring dollar purchased grapefruit from Texas and Florida?

I think my hon. Friend will find that we shall be able to move the Cameroon crop.

Can the Minister say when the adult population may expect some distribution of bananas?

"It's that man again."

I can assure my hon. Friend that, of course, we could distribute our existing supplies to adults only at the expense of depriving the children of their present supply. As and when supplies become more ample, we shall distribute them more widely.