§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the fact that in the week ending Saturday 8th July a large number of companies issued their reports giving details of vastly increased profits and dividend increases of 100 per cent. or more than the previous year, whether such payments are within the Government's policy for incomes and the control of inflation.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettA number of companies have made statements on the level 803W of dividends which they intend to pay if controls are ended on 31st July 1978. Others have been given Treasury approval to forecast dividend increases above the statutory limit in accordance with longstanding rules, for example, to raise new capital for investment. A statement on the Government's intentions when the present controls end on 31st July 1978 will be made at an appropriate time.