§ Sir W. Darlingasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the resolution of St. Cuthbert's Co-operative Society of Edinburgh calling attention to the plight of people among the lower paid sections of the community who, with supplies of linen, footwear, clothing and household goods long since exhausted by scarcity, were suffering hardship, a copy of which has been sent to him; and what action he proposes to take to increase such supplies for this society.
§ Mr. BelcherI have seen only the Press report of the Resolution which the hon. Member sent me, and I observe that it was not adopted by the conference of the Scottish Section of the Co-operative Union at which it was proposed. It is the purpose of the Utility policy to ensure that supplies of the essential goods mentioned of satisfactory quality are available at reasonable prices to all sections of the community. Subject to the limits set by 227W the general shortage of consumer goods at all kinds, there is no reason to suppose that this policy is failing to achieve its object. As regards the particular Cooperative Society referred to by the hon. Member, I have had no evidence that they are failing to get a fair share of the supplies available.