b) The calculation of earnings per share, including and excluding net loss on disposal of fixed assets, is based on the profit on ordinary activities after taxation and after minority interests divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year of 2,162m (1996 - 2,095m).
c) The calculation of fully diluted earnings per share, including and excluding net loss on disposal of fixed assets, is based on the profit on ordinary activities after taxation and after adding the interest income, net of corporation tax, which would have arisen had all the various ordinary share options granted under the company's various schemes been exercised on the first day of the financial year, or at the date granted if later, and the proceeds invested in 2 1/2% Consolidated Stock on that day.
The amount so derived has been divided by the number of ordinary shares in issue at the beginning of the year together with the weighted average number of ordinary shares assumed to have been issued as indicated above.
