§ Sir Richard Glynasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much in money terms, before the deduction of tax, wages and salaries increased in the twelve months to the last convenient date; what percentage increase was involved; and if he will give the corresponding figures for dividends and for company profits over the same period.
§ Mr. BarberIt is estimated that wages and salaries paid in the first quarter of 1962 were £172 million, or 4¾ per cent. higher than in the corresponding quarter of 1961. Gross trading profits of companies are estimated to have fallen by £43 million, or 5¼ per cent., over the same period. Comparable figures for payments of dividends are not available but the summaries of the accounts of public companies compiled by theFinancial Times show that companies reporting in the first quarter of 1962 had increased their ordinary dividends by nearly 2½ per cent. compared with the previous year.