asked the Minister for Finance why no reduction was made in the rate of duty on bananas in view of the recent reduction of one-third in the levy on such luxury fruits as grapes and peaches, the wide popularity of bananas as a food fruit among working people, and the value of bananas for children against coeliac disease.

10.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the rate of duty on bananas; whether he is aware of the high nutritional value of bananas, as compared with other fruit, particularly for children, and of the source of income for dockers and other workers which their import provides; and whether he proposes in view of these facts and the recent reduction in levy on other fruits to abolish or reduce the duty.

11.

asked the Minister for Finance if in view of the nutritional value of bananas in the dieting of lower and middle income families and in school meals and their importance in such dieting prior to the imposition of the import levy, he will consider removing or reducing to the pre-levy rate the present duty on bananas.

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take questions numbered 9, 10 and 11 together.

The recent reductions in the rates of special import levy on fruit were made in the context of a general review of the levies. Bananas are not liable to levy; they are liable to ordinary customs duty at the rates of £1 4. 0d. per cwt. (full) and 16/- per cwt. (preferential).

In framing my recent Budget I had to take into account many pressing demands for tax reliefs for most of which a reasonable case could be made. The limited amount of money at my disposal did not suffice to provide for a reduction in the rates of duty on bananas amongst other items.

Whilst I appreciate that this fruit has nutritional value I regret that I cannot, at present, contemplate any reduction of the rates of the duty.

Can the Minister say what would be involved in remitting the duty?

Remission would cost about £110,000.