HC Deb 20 October 1966 vol 734 c74W
39. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that since the Government's declaration of a dividend standstill a number of companies have announced dividend increases; what action he has taken to collate information as to the number of such firms; whether he will publish the details in HANSARD; and what action he has taken or intends to take to enforce this dividend standstill so far as these companies are concerned.

Mr. Diamond

Since the announcement of the Prices and Incomes Standstill 628 public companies have declared dividends. 616 of these call for no comment, being within the standstill policy; the remaining 12 show an increase. As investigation has established that the increased dividends were paid under a misunderstanding of the precise effect of the standstill policy in their individual cases, no further action is proposed.

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