Statement re OFT Announcement

London Stock Exchange Plc
29 March 2005


Statement Re: OFT Announcement

29 March 2005


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


The Board of the London Stock Exchange notes the announcement by the OFT that a
combination of the London Stock Exchange with either Deutsche Borse AG or
Euronext N.V. has been referred to the Competition Commission for further
review.

The Board of the London Stock Exchange believes in the Company's strong growth
prospects as the largest equity market in Europe, but maintains that stock
exchange consolidation, on the right terms, could be in the best interests of
customers and shareholders.  The London Stock Exchange will co-operate fully
with the Competition Commission during the review period.  Under normal
guidelines, the Competition Commission has 24 weeks in which to review a
transaction and is expected to report by 12 September 2005.

The Board of the London Stock Exchange remains willing to continue discussions
with potential offerors about the possibility of an offer that fully values the
London Stock Exchange and is capable of being recommended.


For further information, please contact:

London Stock Exchange
John Wallace - Media                           [phone]
Paul Froud - Investor Relations                [phone]


Merrill Lynch                                  [phone]
Matthew Greenburgh
Richard Slimmon

Media
Finsbury                                       [phone]
James Murgatroyd
Melanie Gerlis

Merrill Lynch International is acting as financial adviser to the London Stock
Exchange in relation to the matters referred to in this announcement and no one
else and will not be responsible to anyone other than the London Stock Exchange
for providing the protections offered to clients of Merrill Lynch International
nor for providing advice in relation to the matters referred to in this
announcement.



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