asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, whilst appreciating the need for exports, he will give an assurance that an increasing supply of essentials and necessities for household and domestic purposes will be available to the general public through the small shopkeepers throughout the country.

In the arrangements we are making for reconversion and for developing our export trade, we have allowed for some additional supplies of essential goods in short supply for the home market, of which the small shop keepers will get their fair share.