Total Voting Rights

Merrill Lynch British Smaller Companies Trust plc - Voting Rights and Capital

In conformity with the Transparency Directive, we would like to notify the
market of the following:

Following the purchase of its own shares to be held in Treasury, Merrill Lynch
British Smaller Companies Trust plc's capital now consists of 48,609,708
ordinary shares with voting rights. Merrill Lynch British Smaller Companies
Trust plc now holds 1,383,815 ordinary shares in Treasury.

Therefore, the total number of voting rights in Merrill Lynch British Smaller
Companies Trust plc is now 48,609,708.

The above figure (48,609,708) may be used by shareholders as the denominator
for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to
notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, Merrill Lynch
British Smaller Companies Trust plc under the FSA's Disclosure and Transparency
Rules.

8 January 2008

Ms C Driscoll - Company Secretary

Tel: [phone]