Further re (Acquisition)

Benchmark Group PLC
04 May 2004


Not for release, publication or distribution in whole or in part in or into the
                   United States, Canada, Australia or Japan


                                                                      4 MAY 2004


       RECOMMENDED ACQUISITION OF BENCHMARK GROUP PLC BY GE REAL ESTATE
 
                     POSTING OF SCHEME DOCUMENTATION


After close of trading on Friday 30 April 2004, Benchmark posted to Benchmark
Shareholders and Benchmark CULS Holders the scheme document relating to the
recommended acquisition of Benchmark by GE Real Estate by way of a scheme of
arrangement (the 'Scheme').

The scheme document contains important information concerning the meetings of
Benchmark Shareholders and Benchmark CULS Holders to be held for the purpose of
approving the Scheme.

Benchmark Shareholders are asked to return their Forms of Proxy for the
Shareholders Court Meeting and the Benchmark EGM by no later than, respectively,
10.00 a.m. on 22 May 2004 and 10.30 a.m. on 22 May 2004. Benchmark CULS Holders
are asked to return their Form of Proxy for the CULS Holders Court Meeting by no
later than 10.15 a.m. on 22 May 2004. Forms of Proxy for the Shareholders Court
Meeting and the CULS Holders Court Meeting can also be handed in to Benchmark's
registrars at the relevant meeting.

Further details are set out in the scheme document.

Terms used in this announcement shall have the same meanings given to them in
Part 6 of the scheme document.


Press Enquiries

Morgan Stanley                                            Tel: [phone]
(Financial adviser to GE Real Estate)
Mark Warham
Jonathan Lane

Financial Dynamics                                        Tel: [phone]
(Public relations adviser to GE Real Estate)
Stephanie Highett
Dido Laurimore

Benchmark                                                 Tel: [phone]
K.C. Wong (Independent Director)
Nigel Kempner (Chief Executive)

HSBC                                                      Tel: [phone]
(Financial adviser to Benchmark)
Charles Packshaw
Charles Ashton


(Corporate broker to Benchmark)
Heraclis Economides

Tavistock Communications Limited                          Tel: [phone]
(Public relations adviser to Benchmark)
Jeremy Carey


Morgan Stanley & Co. Limited is acting exclusively for GE PCI and GE Capital and
no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not be responsible to
anyone other than GE PCI and GE Capital for providing the protections afforded
to clients of Morgan Stanley & Co. Limited nor for providing advice in
connection with the Acquisition.

HSBC Bank plc, which is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial
Services Authority, is acting exclusively for Benchmark and no one else in
connection with the Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than
Benchmark for providing the protections afforded to clients of HSBC Bank plc nor
for providing advice in connection with the Acquisition.

The availability of the Acquisition to persons who are not resident in the
United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdiction in which
they are located.  Persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom should
inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable requirements.

The release, publication or distribution of this Announcement in certain
jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in any such
jurisdiction into which this Announcement is released, published or distributed
should inform themselves about, and observe such restrictions.  This document is
not for release, distribution or publication in or into or from the United
States, Canada, Australia or Japan.  Accordingly, copies of this Announcement
are not being, and must not be mailed, or otherwise distributed, or sent in or
into or from, the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO SUBSCRIBE FOR OR BUY ANY SECURITY, NOR A SOLICITATION OF ANY VOTE OR
APPROVAL IN ANY JURISDICTION, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE, ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER
OF THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ANY JURISDICTION IN
CONTRAVENTION OF APPLICABLE LAW.

Any person who, alone or acting together with any other person(s) pursuant to an
agreement or understanding (whether formal or informal) to acquire or control
securities of Benchmark, owns or controls or becomes the owner or controller,
directly or indirectly, of one per cent. or more of any class of securities of
Benchmark is generally required under the provisions of Rule 8 of the City Code
to notify a Regulatory Information Service as specified in the Listing Rules and
the Panel by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the business day
following the date of the transaction of every dealing in such securities during
the period to the date on which the Scheme becomes effective.  Dealings by GE
PCI, GE Capital or Benchmark (or by their respective 'associates', within the
definition set out in the City Code) in any class of securities of Benchmark
until the end of such period must also be disclosed (save where omission of such
associates from this requirement has been approved by the Panel).  Please
consult your financial adviser immediately if you believe this Rule may be
applicable to you.


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