§ 38. Mr. Fallonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the current level of direct ownership of shares in the United Kingdom.
§ 43. Mrs. Roeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has on the impact of the Trustee Savings Bank's sale on direct ownership of equities by individuals in the United Kingdom.
§ 45. Mr. Butterfillasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has about the total level of direct shareholdings by individuals since the flotation of the Trustee Savings Bank.
§ Mr. Norman LamontEstimates vary, but it is generally accepted that the number of individual shareholders has roughly doubled since 1979. The TSB flotation has provided a further boost to individual share ownership. There were over 3 million successful applications for shares, and a recent National Opinion Poll survey suggests that the issue may have attracted a million people who have never owned shares before.
§ 42. Mr. Sackvilleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the extension of share ownership.
§ Mr. Norman LamontMy right hon. Friend has received numerous representations welcoming the measures he has introduced, such as the personal equity plan scheme, to encourage the extension of share ownership by individuals.