§ Mr. Palmerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to raise to a level in keeping with present-day values the exemption limit of £2,000 per annum income below which
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Original cost Dividend received 1968–69 Nominal value of shares B.P. Ltd … … … £36,155,000 (1914–1966) £34,645,217 (1) £174,462,538 Beagle … … … £1,000,000 (1968) — £1,000,000 British Sugar Corporation … … … (2) £69,862 (1) £1,125,000 Cable & Wireless Ltd … … … £34,795,000 (1938–1947) £1,350,000(1) £30,000,000 Cunard Steamship Co. Ltd … … … £20 neg. £66 Compagnie Financiere de Suez … … … £4,076,622 (3) £529,388(1) FF53 799 300 (now including the former Societe d'lnvestisse ments Mobiliers). … … … (1875) Itabira Iron Ore Co. … … … £160,000 (1944) — in liquidation International Computers Ltd … … … £3,500,000 (4) — £3,500,000 Short Bros. & Harland … … … £1,262,170 (1943 onwards) —(5) £1,640,000 Power Jets (R & D) Ltd. … … … £250,000 (1944) —(5) Topliss & Harding Ltd. … … … Nil Nil £499 Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd … … … £1,500,000(6) (1966) — £875,000 Notes: (1) Details of dividends received in earlier years are contained in the Finance Accounts of the United Kingdom for the year in question. (2) Her Majesty's Government's holding was acquired in consideration of loan guarantees made under the Trade Facilities Acts 1921–26 to the former Anglo-Scottish Sugar Beet Companies. (3) The original cost of Her Majesty's Government's investment in the Suez Canal Co. (4) Net yet fully paid up. under the terms of Her Majesty's Government's agreement with the constituent companies. (5) Details of dividends received in earlier years are contained in the Appropriation Accounts of the Ministry of Technology and its predecessors for the years in question. (6) The original cost of Her Majesty's Government's investment in Fairfields, now merged in Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd. figure reimbursement for expenses incurred does not rank for tax.
§ Mr. Harold LeverI have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.