24. Settlement balances and short positions
| Group | ||
| 2006 £m |
2005 £m |
|
| Settlement balances – amortised cost | 5,667 | 6,561 |
| Short positions – held-for-trading: | ||
| Debt securities – Government | 36,901 | 30,749 |
| – Other issuers | 5,843 | 5,355 |
| Treasury and other eligible bills | 654 | 1,178 |
| Equity shares | 411 | 145 |
| 49,476 | 43,988 | |
