Notes to the consolidated financial statements

24. SHARE CAPITAL

	Share capital	^a	Share premium	^b
	£m		£m

Balances at 31 March 2005	432		3
Arising on share issues	–		4

Balances at 31 March 2006	432		7
Arising on share issues	–		24

Balances at 31 March 2007	432		31

^a	The authorised share capital of the company throughout the years ended 31 March 2007 and 2006 was £13,463 million representing 269,260,253,468 ordinary shares of 5p each.

The allotted, called up and fully paid ordinary share capital of the company at 31 March 2007 was £432 million (2006: £432 million), representing 8,640,654,852 ordinary shares of 5p each (2006: 8,635,377,801). Of the authorised but unissued share capital at 31 March 2007, 21 million ordinary shares (2006: 26 million) were reserved to meet options granted under employee share option schemes.

^b	The share premium account, representing the premium on allotment of shares is not available for distribution.

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