Statement re Approach

London Stock Exchange Plc
09 December 2005


NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES,
CANADA OR JAPAN


                                                                 9 December 2005


Statement Re Approach


The Board of London Stock Exchange plc announces that it has received a proposal
from Macquarie Bank Limited about making a cash offer to acquire London Stock
Exchange for 580 pence per share.


The Board of London Stock Exchange rejects outright this derisory proposal which
fundamentally undervalues the Company and lacks any strategic or commercial
credibility.


The Board's confidence in London Stock Exchange's growth prospects as the
largest equity market in Europe with a unique global franchise is reinforced by
the strong interim results announced on 3 November 2005.


A further statement will be made as appropriate.

For further information, please contact:


London Stock Exchange         John Wallace - Media                 020 7797 1222

                              Paul Froud - Investor Relations      020 7797 3322


Merrill Lynch                 Matthew Greenburgh                   020 7628 1000

                              Richard Slimmon


Lehman Brothers               Anthony Fry                          020 7102 1000

                              Stephen Fox


Finsbury                      James Murgatroyd                     020 7251 3801

                              Simon Moyse


Merrill Lynch International is acting exclusively for London Stock Exchange and
no-one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone
other than London Stock Exchange  for providing the protections afforded to
clients of Merrill Lynch International nor for providing advice in relation to
the Offer.

Lehman Brothers Europe Limited, which is regulated in the United Kingdom by the
Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for London Stock Exchange
and no-one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to
anyone other than London Stock Exchange  for providing the protections afforded
to clients of Lehman Brothers Europe Limited nor for providing advice in
relation to the Offer.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange