HL Deb 26 July 1984 vol 455 c523WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consider offering shares in British Telecommunications plc (BT) to BT and Post Office pensioners on a similar basis to that proposed for BT employees.

Lord Cockfield

The purpose of the employee share scheme is to encourage greater effort and commitment from the company's employees in their work. It is not a reward for past services and therefore it would not be appropriate to extend its application to pensioners however valuable their previous services. BT pensioners will however be given preferential rights in the allocation of shares.