Building Societies

HC Deb 10 July 1996 vol 281 cc227-8W

Mr. French

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many building societies there were in 1976; and how many there are currently. [36462]

Mrs. Angela Knight

At the end of 1976, there were 345 authorised building societies. There are currently 79, including the National and Provincial, which is expected to be acquired by Abbey National plc later this year.