SIMBAD references

We report the possible discovery of multiple gravitationally lensed images of quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) with angular separations on arcmin scales. The QSOs were selected from the completed 2dF QSO Survey as having redshifts and optical colours which are statistically consistent. In this paper we present higher-quality optical spectra of the candidates and discuss the likelihood that they genuinely are systems lensed by massive clusters of galaxies. From a comparison of the spectra it appears that up to six pairs of QSOs may be lensed multiple images, although the true number may be less than that and further observations should be undertaken to amass more evidence and to detect the lensing clusters. Two of the candidates may be associated with low-redshift clusters of galaxies.