Statement re Offer Lapse

London Stock Exchange Plc
28 February 2006

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO CANADA, OR JAPAN

28 February 2006



London Stock Exchange plc

The Board of London Stock Exchange plc ("the Exchange") notes the ending of
Macquarie's Offer and now proposes to proceed with the return of £510 million to
shareholders (the "Return") and subsequently commence an ongoing share buyback
programme of up to £50 million per annum, as announced on 17 February 2006. The
Exchange will publish as soon as practicable full details of the Return and a
detailed timetable, with a view to completing the process before the end of May
2006.



For further information, please contact:


London Stock Exchange

John Wallace - Media                                [phone]

Paul Froud - Investor Relations                     [phone]



Finsbury

James Murgatroyd                                    [phone]

Simon Moyse

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






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