asked the Chancellor of the exchequer by how much net ordinary dividends were raised in 1953; and if he will give an estimate of how much per week the average basic wage rate would have been increased if this sum had been distributed to the workers instead of to shareholders.

The increase in ordinary dividends after tax, between 1952 and 1953, is estimated at about £25 million; this amount, if divided among the wage earners employed by companies, roughly estimated at 10 million, is equal to about 1s. per week.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the "Economist" last week estimated a figure of 5½d.? Whichever figure is true, will he do his best to see that the significance of this figure is widely appreciated in the country, and not least by some of the Oxford dons sitting opposite?

I would hesitate at any time to question the accuracy of the "Economist,"but my figures were based on the number of wage earners employed by the companies actually paying a dividend, whereas the "Economist" figures were based on the total number of wage earning and salaried employees, including Government employees, and so on. As far as publicity for these facts is concerned, I am sure my hon. Friend will contribute largely in that direction.

Would the hon. Gentleman say what were the respective contributions of the workers and the shareholders to the provision of this wealth?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a Question of that kind on the Paper.

Is the Economic Secretary justifying the over-payments to the moneylenders on the grounds that the share-out for the workers would not be very high?

There is nothing in this Question about moneylenders.