Profit-Sharing and Co-partnership Schemes (Inquiry)

HC Deb 03 July 1957 vol 572 cc107-8W

6. Major Beamish

asked the Minister of Labour from how many undertakings he requested information about profit-sharing and co-partnership schemes in 1955 and subsequently; how many replies were received; in what form this information has been collated; for what purpose it was sought; and what further action he intends to take.

Mr. Carr

In the inquiry made by my Department in 1955 into profit-sharing and co-partnership schemes in operation in 1954, questionnaires were sent to some 1,800 undertakings. Replies were received from 1,680 of which 408 operated schemes. No further inquiry has been made. An analysis of the schemes operating in 1954 was published in the May, 1956, issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette.

The inquiry was made as a result of the Resolution of this House on 28th January, 1955, in order to provide up-to-date factual information about the development and working of profit-sharing and co-partnership schemes. I do not think that any immediate further action is called for by my Department, but I should be prepared to consider a further inquiry next year.

7. Major Beamish

asked the Minister of Labour how many employees benefited in 1954 from profit-sharing and co-partnership schemes, other than schemes which applied only to staff or to selected classes of employees; what was the average amount of bonus per participant and the average percentage addition to earnings; and how these figures compare with those obtained for the year 1938.

Mr. Carr

In 1954, nearly 381,000 employees are known to have been entitled to participate in profit-sharing and co-partnership schemes other than schemes which applied only to staff or to selected classes of employees. The corresponding figure in 1938 was 261,000.

It is not possible to measure precisely the financial benefits from all schemes, but for the 349 schemes of a profit bonus type in 1954 which applied to employees in general, and covered some 357,000 persons, the average amount of bonus per head was £28 5s. 4d. and the average percentage addition to earnings was 5.8 per cent. The corresponding figures in 1938 were 355 schemes, 238,000 persons, £11 6s. 7d. and 5.9 per cent.