HC Deb 11 December 1987 vol 124 cc289-90W
Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number of share option schemes approved in each of the tax years since the inception of the legislation.

Mr. Norman Lamont

[holding answer 7 December 1987]: The figures are as follows:

Number of schemes approved
FA 1980 SAYE schemes FA 1984 schemes
In year Cumulative total In year Cumulative total
1980–81 22 22
1981–82 115 137
1982–83 78 215
1983–84 73 288
1984–85 115 403 202 202
1985–86 111 514 1,251 1,453
1986–87 104 618 751 2,204
1987–881 70 688 495 2,699
1 To date.

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the aggregate number and price of options granted in each of the tax years since the inception of the scheme.

Mr. Norman Lamont

[holding answer 7 December 1987]: Estimates for each year are as follows:

FA 1980 SAYE schemes FA 1984 schemes
Number of optants Cost of taking up options Number of optants Cost of taking up options
Thousands £ million Thousands £ million
1980–81 11 18
1981–82 89 151
1982–83 95 175
1983–84 105 185

FA 1980 SAYE schemes FA 1984 schemes
Number of optants Cost of taking up options Number of optants Cost of taking up options
Thousands £ million Thousands £ million
1984–85 225 560 50 800
1985–86 200 460 50 750
1986–87 270 500 45 900

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give, for each tax year since the inception of the share option scheme, for each of the schemes granted(a) the number of shares which were the subject of options and (b) the aggregate price payable for these options for (i) all companies, (ii) companies which are quoted and (iii) companies which are unquoted.

Mr. Norman Lamont

[holding answer 7 December 1987]: Estimates for each year are as follows:

FA 1980 SAYE schemes FA 1984 schemes
Number of shares over which options were granted Cost of taking up options Number of shares over which options were granted Cost of taking up options
Million £ million Million £ million
1980–81 1 18
1981–82 1 151
1982–83 100 175
1983–84 100 185
1984–85 250 560 420 800
1985–86 160 460 380 750
1986–87 230 500 460 900
1 Figures not readily available.

An analysis by company type is not available.

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give, for the current tax year(a) the number and value of options that have been exercised and (b) the current market value of unexercised options in quoted companies.

Mr. Norman Lamont

[holding answer 7 December 1987]: Figures for 1987–88 are not yet available. Estimates for the previous year relating to share option schemes approved under the legislation shown are as follows:

Finance Act Number of optants exercising options in 1986–87 ('000) Number of shares: options exercised in 1986–87 (million) Value of shares obtained through the exercise of options in 1986–87 (£ million)
1980 55 60 165
1984 na 45 280
1 Amount paid for acquisition of shares.
2 1986–87 value of options exercised.

The value of unexercised options over shares in quoted companies is not readily available.