HC Deb 09 May 1957 vol 569 c1171
36. Mr. Osborne

asked he Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recommendations of the courts of a 5 per cent. wage increase throughout the engineering and shipbuilding industries, even though the courts admit this will be inflationary, and therefore, contrary to the Government's declared policy.

Mr. Birch

I do not think it would be helpful to add at this stage to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on 7th May.

Mr. Osborne

Would my right hon. Friend say whether it is possible to control inflation if higher wages are paid for the same amount of work?

Mr. Birch

I hope that this question, asked in connection with the Courts' Reports, may prove to be hypothetical.

Mr. Jay

Will the right hon. Gentleman at least tell us whether it is still Government policy that there should be restraint in the payment of dividends?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Birch

The general policy of restraint still stands.

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