HC Deb 12 May 1966 vol 728 cc115-6W
Mr. Arthur Pearson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the United Kingdom Government's present holing in the British Petroleum Company; and what total divides have accrued for each of the last five years.

Mr. Callaghan

Her Majesty's Government holds £162,000,000 Ordinary Stock and £1,000 Preference Stock, and is subscribing for 12,461,538 new Ordinary Shares of £1 each. When fully paid these Shares will be converted into Stock and Her Majesty's Government will then hold £174,461,538 Ordinary Stock.

The following dividends and payments out of a capital reserve have been received in the last five financial years:

Dividends Payments out of capital reserve
£ £
Year ended 31st March, 1962 13,125,049
Year ended 31st March, 1963 14,062,549
Year ended 31st March, 1964 13,500,049 2,250,000
Year ended 31st March, 1965 16,200,049 2,700,000
Year ended 31st March, 1966 19,079,569 4,387,500