NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED
11. BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE 1999 1998
pence pence
Basic and diluted earnings per share before exceptional items and amortisation of goodwill 38.8 38.9
Effect of exceptional items 0.5 4.4
Effect of amortisation of goodwill (7.2)
Basic and diluted earnings per share 32.1 43.3
The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the average number of Ordinary shares in issue of 1,005,768,302 (1998 1,005,767,948) and on profit after taxation of £323.0m (1998 £435.3m). The calculation of basic earnings per share before exceptional items and amortisation of goodwill is based on profit of £390.2m (1998 £390.7m). This additional figure indicates the underlying profitability of the Group.

12. STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS 1999 1998
Full time Part time Full time
equivalent		 Full time Part time Full time
equivalent
The average number of employees of the
Group during the year was:

    
Home Shopping
- United Kingdom & other 12,444 7,844 17,067 12,751 7,505 17,248
- Continental Europe 1,509 725 1,918 1,587 670 1,972
13,953 8,569 18,985 14,338 8,175 19,220
Argos 7,756 16,423 16,626
Experian 10,103 1,917 11,725 6,588 760 7,251
Finance Division 848 32 865 1,001 67 1,040
Burberry 2,075 206 2,184 2,643 277 2,781
Overseas Retailing 5,029 443 5,190 5,241 427 5,392
39,764 27,590 55,575 29,811 9,706 35,684

    
Total staff costs comprise:
£m £m
Wages and salaries 819.2 556.5
Social security costs 96.3 62.4
Other pension costs 29.7 15.2
945.2 634.1

13. GOODWILL Argos Other
acquisitions		 Total
The Group £m £m £m
Cost
At 31 March 1998 - - -
Movement in year:
        Additions 1,554.9 21.2 1,576.1
At 31 March 1999 1,554.9 21.2 1,576.1

    
Amortisation
At 31 March 1998 - - -
Movement in year:
        Provided in year 72.0 0.6 72.6
At 31 March 1999 72.0 0.6 72.6
Net Book Value at 31 March 1999 1,482.9 20.6 1,503.5
Net Book Value at 31 March 1998 - - -
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