§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he takes, before approving increases in dividends in excess of the Government's proposed ceiling on dividend increases in cases where a company is seeking to resist a take-over bid, to ascertain whether the bid is a genuine one.
§ Mr. DiamondGenerally, documentary proof of a firm bid is required before the dividend of a company meeting a bid is considered.