The question which springs to my mind over the apparent lack of support in M&S pants expressed by Newsnight’s tough anchorman Jeremy Paxman is, how long does he expect them to last?

On a day when the health of our economy takes a serious dive, Paxman has the nation gripped about the quality of his undies, complaining about “widespread gusset anxiety”.

He also believes his socks are wearing out too quickly too, and has accepted a challenge from Sir Stuart Rose, the chief executive of Marks & Spencer, to have his pants tested by M&S’s technical specialists to see if his claim of a decline in quality bears up to examination.

This is what Jeremy says:

“Nothing I have ever done — interviewing Michael Howard, asking Tony Blair whether he prays with George Bush, nothing — has elicited such a response. I have been deluged with e-mails; strangers have accosted me in the street saying, ‘Good on you’. There is a real issue here.

“I wrote to Sir Stuart because I think Marks & Spencer is an iconic British brand and I want them to do well. They will not do well in this field with this level of quality.�

I am sympathetic with Paxman to an extent, I have found some of the M&S’s undies uncomfortable, but I still shop there for my smalls, where else is there? The good news for Paxman is that he won’t be short of pants, as Asda is making the most of this golden PR opportunity to send him samples of their boxers and Y-fronts.

Not since David Davis and David Cameron were quizzed about their underwear on Woman’s Hour during the Conservative leadership contest has male underwear had such a high profile, though Paxman refuses to disclose if he wears boxers or briefs.

But the point is, socks and pants get worn and washed constantly, how long should we expect them to last, and surely there are more important issues in life to worry about. Perhaps Paxman gets stuck in his office too long and forgets how quickly the weeks fly by, that he needs to get out to the shops more often.

Which reminds me, it’s time I sorted through my bottom drawer ….