Executive Pay Debate

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Executive Pay

William Bain Excerpts
Monday 23rd January 2012

(12 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
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In mentioning diversity, I think I included lawyers, improbable as that may seem. There is probably a dissenting view on the Opposition Front Bench.

William Bain Portrait Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab)
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Does the Secretary of State accept the finding of the High Pay Commission that in the year to last autumn—on his watch—the pay of FTSE 100 directors increased by 49%, whereas average incomes rose by only 2.7%? Does that not make the case for a permanent body on high pay to ensure that companies reflect the social obligations that they owe to all of us?

Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
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As I understand it, the commission is in the process of encouraging the establishment of a monitoring body of that kind. That is not governmental or Government financed, but it would be a very useful institution in helping us to understand the trends.