§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage of shares held by individuals in privatised companies(a) on privatisation and (b) as at the most recent date for which figures are available. [8215]
§ Mr. JackThe following table gives the information requested in part(a) for major primary sales. The present size of share registers is a matter for the companies themselves and their registrars and may be found in individual companies' annual reports.
Shares sold in the public offer (as a proportion of total shares sold in the offer) Offer Year Actual proportion allocated (per cent.) BT 1984 34 British Gas 1986 64 British Airways 1987 47 Rolls Royce 1987 42 BAA 1987 52 British Steel 1988 42 Water 1989 47 Regional Electricity 1990 55 Companies Generating 1991 49 Companies Scottish Electricity 1991 58 N. Ireland Electricity 1993 64 Railtrack 1996 151 British Energy 1996 152 2 Includes Retail Tender.