HC Deb 07 July 1980 vol 988 cc72-5W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the ratio of dividends to interest payments by industrial and commercial companies each year since 1955; (2) if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the years since 1955 the appropriation account for manufacturing companies or, if this is not available, the total for companies and financial institutions less financial companies and institutions.

Mr. Lawson

An appropriation account for manufacturing companies is not compiled.

The appropriation account for industrial and commercial companies for the years 1969–79 is published on page 60 in the April 1980 issue of Economic Trends: for the years 1960–69 it is published on pages 164 to 168 of Economic Trends, annual supplement, 1980 edition. The latest estimates for the years 1955–59 have not been published and are given below, together with linking figures for 1960.

APPROPRIATION ACCOUNT OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL COMPANIES: 1955–1960
£ million
Income Allocation of income Memo item
Arising in the United Kingdom Gross trading profits Dividends, interest and current transfer payments
Total After deducting stock appreciation Stock appreciation Total Rent and non-trading income Income from abroad (net of taxes paid abroad) Payments of dividends on ordinary shares Other Profita due abroad (net of UK tax) UK taxes on income (payments) Balance undistributed income Taxes paid abroad on income from abroad
1955 3,586 2,877 119 2,996 186 404 474 315 132 865 1,800 253
1956 3,739 2,912 159 3,071 207 461 514 336 124 781 1,984 278
1957 3,923 3,102 141 3,243 215 465 560 356 136 854 2017 320
1958 3,930 3,168 -18 3,150 232 548 599 370 150 891 1,920 328
1959 4,263 3,852 77 3,498 229 536 704 389 180 873 2,117 379
1960 4,663 3,852 77 3,929 253 481 926 446 170 564 2,557 336

The ratio of dividends to interest payments by industrial and commercial companies can be derived from the above figures and references. The heading "other" under "dividends and interest etc." includes undistinguishable dividends on preference shares, interest on debentures and other loan capital and interest on advances—mainly by banks.