§ Mr. TredinnickTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement on the level of share ownership in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Norman LamontA joint Treasury/stock exchange survey carried out in January and February this year shows that
Nine million people, or 20 per cent. of the adult population, now own shares, compared to 19.5 per cent. one year ago, and seven per cent. in 1979.13 per cent. hold shares in privatised companies, and six per cent. own only privatised shares.Three per cent, hold shares in the company for which they work.The increase in share ownership is widely spread; two thirds of British shareholders come from outside the ranks of managers and the professions; similarly, two thirds come from outside the south-east.I am placing copies of the survey report in the Libraries of both Houses.