§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of United Kingdom share capital was held by private investors in each year since 1979.
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§ Mr. MaudeUp-to-date information on the share capital held by private individuals is not yet available. Results from December 1989 survey of share registers conducted by the Central Statistical Office are due to be published in the near future.
Current estimates of the value of ordinary and preference shares held by the personal sector, which consists of individuals resident in the United Kingdom, unincorporated private businesses, sole trader and partnerships, non-profit making bodies serving persons and private trusts are as follows:
UK Ordinary and Preference Shares held by the Personal Sector End Year Market value of shares outstanding of which Total Personal Sector Personal Sector (£ billion) (£ billion) Percentage share 1979 83.5 29.8 35.8 1980 105.7 37.1 35.2 1981 115.6 36.7 31.7 1982 141.5 43.3 30.6 1983 178.3 52.3 29.4 1984 226.6 59.1 26.1 1985 267.2 66.5 24.9 1986 349.9 91.1 26.0 1987 395.8 117.9 29.8 1988 429.0 123.4 28.8 1989 550.0 145.9 26.5 These figures are consistent with those to be published in table 14.5 of the December issue of "Financial Statistics".