Answer: A
Neighbouring-group participation involves two successive inversions at the same carbon, so the net result is retention. The priorities in the bromo compound are Br>COOX−>CHX3>H and in lactate OH>COOX−>CHX3>H, the same order, so retention keeps the label: (S)-lactate. Because the slow step is the unimolecular ring closure, the rate does not depend on hydroxide concentration.