<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTAINED
IN THE BODY OF THE ACCOMPANYING FORM 20-F AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<CURRENCY> UK STERLING
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                              81
<SECURITIES>                                     1,275
<RECEIVABLES>                                      176
<ALLOWANCES>                                        27
<INVENTORY>                                         13
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,790
<PP&E>                                           2,144
<DEPRECIATION>                                   1,328
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   2,836
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            1,076
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            42
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,701
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     2,836
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 2,882
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    2,290
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    52
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    27
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    626
<INCOME-TAX>                                       236
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                390
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       390
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     24.0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0