§ Ms. MowlamTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for the British Telecom share offer have been received by each of the eight retail financial institutions.
§ Mr. Maude[holding answer 21 October 1991]: The number of individuals who have selected each of the eight 503W shareshops in registering an interest in applying for shares in the forthcoming BT share sale will be announced after the end of the registration period in the second half of November.
§ Ms. MowlamTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria were applied in the selection of each of the eight retail financial institutions chosen to participate in the British Telecom second share flotation.
§ Mr. Maude[holding answer 21 October 1991]: A number of presentations were received from private sector bodies in response to the Chancellor's invitation in his budget speech to make proposals for cheap and accessible means for individuals to buy and sell shares in the secondary market. From these, the Government selected eight organisations equipped to undertake, at relatively short notice, the work arising on the BT sale and providing a choice of financial institutions familiar to the public.