§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies were allowed to increase their dividend distributions by more than 3½ per cent. betwen 19th March, 1968, and 28th February, 1969, in order to restore reductions in distributions made in previous years; how many requests for dividend increases in excess of 3½ per cent. on these grounds were disallowed during the same period; and if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the reasons in each case why such requests were disallowed.
§ Mr. Diamond355 and one respectively. The latter company wished to return to the dividend level of 1937, which the Treasury regarded as providing an unrealistic basis of comparison for incomes policy purposes.