§ Mr. ANDERSONasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he has received any proposals from local authorities for economising labour and enabling volunteering for National Service by organising a unified distribution of milk, coal, and other articles under municipal auspices, in place of the separate and competing distributive services of rival traders; and whether he has power to authorise and encourage schemes in this direction?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERI have received proposals of the kind. While doubtful of the wisdom of displacing existing machinery for distribution, or substitution for it, a municipal organisation, I am strongly impressed with the desirability of encouraging in every way co-operation in local trades so as to secure the maximum of economy in the process of distribution. I understand that the Director-General of National service has this subject under consideration.