§ 42. Mr. Gaitskellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid by Her Majesty's Government in respect of the original purchase of shares in the Anglo-Persian Oil Company; what sums were paid subsequently for the purchase of further shares and how many free bonus shares were received in this company or its successors; and the value today of Her Majesty's Government's total shareholding in the British Petroleum Oil Company.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerIn 1914 the Government subscribed for two million £1 ordinary shares and one thousand £1 preference shares at par and, in 1919, for a further 3 million £1 ordinary shares at par. Bonus issues of ordinary shares received in 1926, 1937, and 1954 have totalled 51,250,000and have brought the nominal value of the Government's holding to £56,250,000 ordinary stock and £1,000 preference stock. The value of the Government's holding at close of business yesterday was just over £233 million.