: notes to the accounts :

24. Reserves

Note : Cumulative goodwill relating to acquisitions made prior to 1998, which was deducted from reserves, amounts to ｣1,870m (1998: ｣1,912m). During the year ｣7m of impaired goodwill was written off through the profit and loss account. During 1999 Pearson plc received ｣20m on the issue of shares in respect of the exercise of options awarded under various share option plans. Employees paid ｣18m to the Group for the issue of these shares and the balance of ｣2m comprised contributions to the qualifying employee share ownership trust (QUEST) from subsidiary undertakings.