§ Mr. Joel Barnettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many share option and incentives schemes have been agreed; how many employees are involved; what is the average salary of the employees; what was the market value of the shares; what was the par value; what was the average option price; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NottFormal approval under the 1972 legislation has been given to 16 schemes. A further 40 have been accepted as approvable if adopted by the shareholders. It is for the shareholders to decide whether they should agree to the544W issue of additional shares. The other information requested by the hon. Member is not needed to decide whether the conditions for approval laid down in this year's legislation are met. Some of it will become available from the annual returns to be made by the companies whose shares are being used in the schemes.