Consolidated profit and loss account for the year ended 31 December
NOTES 1999
£M		 1998
£M		 1997
£M
Revenue: Group and share of joint venture 3,160 3,032 2,882
     less share of joint venture revenue
(35 ) - -
Group revenue 1 3,125 3,032 2,882
Operating costs 2 (2,576 ) (2,482 ) (2,341 )
Operating profit 549 550 541
Share of operating loss in:
Joint ventures
 (6 ) - -
Associates
 (11 ) (1 ) (1 )
Profit on partial disposal of a subsidiary undertaking 32 52 - -
Profit on disposal of fixed asset investments 50 26 -
Income from fixed asset investments 2 3 6
Net interest (payable)/receivable 3 (4 ) 2 80
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 632 580 626
Taxation on profit on ordinary activities 4 (207 ) (196 ) (236 )
Profit after taxation attributable to ordinary shareholders 425 384 390
Dividends 5 (206 ) (203 ) (190 )
Retained profit 219 181 200
Basic earnings per ordinary share 6 30.2 p 26.7 p 24.0 p
Fully diluted earnings per ordinary share 6 29.7 p 26.6 p 23.8 p
 
Consolidated revenue and operating profit derive from continuing operations in all material respects.
The profit for the year has been computed on an unmodified historical cost basis.