§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how personal equity plan holdings and investments have expanded in each year since the introduction of personal equity plans; how personal equity plan holdings are classified in official returns on share ownerships; and what percentage of personal shareholdings he estimates are held in the form of personal equity plans.
§ Sir George YoungThe value of funds held in personal equity plans is shown in the table. This information is derived from returns made by PEP managers.
7W
As at Value of funds £ million General Single company Total December 1987 440 — 440 December 1988 720 — 720 April 1990 2,600 — 2600 April 1991 4,520 — 4,520
As at Value of funds £ million General Single company Total April 1992 6,700 270 6,970 April 1993 11,100 790 11,890 April 1994 18,500 1,300 19,800 In the national accounts, PEPs are classified as part of personal sector holdings of United Kingdom company securities. At the end of 1993, the share register survey, run by the Central Statistical Office, estimated the value of ordinary shares of UK-listed companies held by individuals, including those held in PEPs, at £141 billion. In addition, personal sector holdings of unit trust units were estimated to be £42 billion.