§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has as to(a) the number of shareholders to be given bonus shares in British Telecom, under the loyalty bonus scheme, on 30 November 1988, and (b) the number of shares to be given out under the scheme.
§ Mr. Butcher[holding answer 30 November 1987]: The qualifying date for eligibility for bonus shares in British Telecom is 30 November 1987. Current estimates are that almost 1 million shareholders will qualify for some 55 million bonus shares in total. These will be transferred as soon as practicable after the qualifying date.