Notifiable Holding

British Empire Sec & Gen Tst PLC
13 February 2002


The Company has been informed that AXA S.A. is interested in 25,713,091
Ordinary 10p shares, representing 14.99% of the issued share capital.

The shares are registered in the name of:

HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Limited, a/c 867530
HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Limited, a/c 776934
HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Limited, a/c 867268
RBSTB nominees designation Sunpen


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