§ 59. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Acrow (Engineering) has broken the incomes and dividends standstill for the third time in six months; and what steps he proposes taking to bring them into line with other employers.
§ Mr. HattersleyOn the incomes side, any payment of an incentive bonus by this group would need now to be considered in the light of the severe restraint criteria. I understand that the bonuses are designed to improve productivity and have been a normal feature of the group's system of remuneration over a number of years and that their discontinuance would have the effect of reducing the remuneration of the employees below the 20th July, 1966 level.
Any question relating to dividends is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.