§ 62. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to limit increases in the rates of dividend distributed by public companies.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir, not at present.
§ Mr. DaviesMight I ask the Chancellor if he is aware of the tendency on the part of certain companies, for reasons of which he is no doubt aware, to increase their distribution of dividend at the present time, and whether this does not require active consideration?
§ Mr. DaltonIn my last Budget speech, I made an appeal that funds should be devoted to postwar development rather than to increasing of dividends. In so far as there is a wide acceptance of that appeal, there is no need for further action, but where there is a wide departure from it, the matter will have to be looked into.