HC Deb 24 June 1960 vol 625 c71W
Sir W. Robson Brown

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of salaries and wages paid annually; what was the total amount of dividends paid by all companies: and what percentage this amount is of the total wages and salaries paid, for the years 1954 to 1959, in each case.

Mr. Barber

The figures are:—

— Total wages and salaries Dividends paid on ordinary and preference shares (1) Dividends as a percentage of wages and salaries
£ million £ million
1954 … 9,290 631 6.8
1955 … 10,185 709 7.0
1956 … 11,090 739 6.7
1957 … 11,730 771 6.6
1958 … 12,070 800 6.6
1959 … 12,490 883 7.1
(1) Dividends paid to persons, public corporations, central and local government, life assurance and pension funds and abroad.