asked the Minister of Labour if he will take steps to ascertain whether there is a shortage in this country of any of the goods required to satisfy the needs and comforts of the entire population, with a view to the unemployed workers being organised for the production of such goods; and will he consider, should investigation reveal that there is no shortage but, on the contrary, abundance, how the system of distribution, particularly among the working classes of this country, can be improved so that it may keep pace with production?

I have no machinery at my disposal for ascertaining the information required in the first part of the question. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture informed the House last Monday, an inquiry as to the distribution of the most important section of consumable goods, namely, foodstuffs, is being taken in hand, and the results of this inquiry will no doubt throw much light on the whole question of the efficiency of the present system of distribution.

In the event of the investigation proving that there is no shortage, may I take it that the Government will depart from the policy of allowing people to starve in the midst of plenty?

I do not think that arises out of the question on the Paper.