§ 35. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs which profits and which dividends of which companies or industries he has referred or intends to refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
§ Mr. FoleyIt will be relevant for the National Board for Prices and Incomes, in considering any case which may be referred to it, to examine and report on the level of profits in the industry or service concerned, whether they are distributed or not. Moreover the recent 95W White Paper on Prices and Incomes Policy (Cmnd. 2639) states that
Where the growth of profits or dividends is based on excessive market power this could indicate scope for price reductions and such cases would be referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes for examination".My right hon. Friend will consider whether any case of this sort which is brought to his attention should be referred to the Board.