§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Government's declared policy of severe restraint is not being implemented by a number of public companies who have increased dividends and are promising to give large dividend increases on already large dividend payments; and whether he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes this general problem, and in particular, the announcement by Benjamin Brothers Limited that they intend to increase their present dividend of 63½, per cent. to not less than 75 per cent.
§ Mr. Harold LeverThe Government's policy on dividends is set out in paragraphs 31 to 33 of the White Paper on Prices and Incomes Policy after 30th June 1967 (Cmnd. 3235). Since 20th July, 1967, publicly announced dividends show as many cases of reductions as of increases.