asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether members of British forces posted overseas were able to apply for shares in British Gas on exactly the same terms as United Kingdom residents; and if he will make a statement.

Members of British forces posted overseas (excluding those resident in the United States or Canada) were able to apply for shares in British Gas under the same terms and conditions as anybody else.However, for overseas legal as well as practical reasons, the British Gas share information office was not able to send prospectuses abroad.Those overseas who contacted the share information officer were, therefore, advised to arrange for a stockbroker, solicitor or bank in this country to make the application on their behalf.