They would have liked the opportunity to discuss at length the system of commodity agreements which must come if the world is to solve Its Food Crisis.

My right hon. Friend will have heard Malawi mentioned in the House yesterday, and the subject is raised again today in early-day motion 1375: [That this House notes the current plight of Malawi which faces Its Worst Food Crisis in nearly 20 years; acknowledges that the country is facing an immediate shortfall of thousands of tonnes of food; recognises that warnings of this crisis appeared three months ago; and calls on the international community to act with speed and generosity to avert disaster.

For example, last week, the United Nations World Food Programme warned that southern Africa is facing Its Worst Food Crisis for more than a decade, with about 13 million people facing starvation.