Final Results

MARTIN CURRIE HIGH INCOME TRUST PLC
26 August 1999


                      MARTIN CURRIE HIGH INCOME TRUST plc
            Results for the period 17 July 1998 to 31 July 1999

*    Total dividends for the year of 7.6p per share
*    Portfolio remains fully invested

The board of the £68 million Martin Currie High Income Trust has announced
today a fourth interim dividend of 2.0p. It will be paid on 30 September 1999
to shareholders on the register at 10 September 1999. This makes a total
dividend of 7.6p per share for the period to 31 July 1999, in line with the
original objective in the prospectus and the subsequent placing document.

The distribution of the trust's assets at 31 July 1999 was UK equities and
convertibles 56%, holdings in other investment companies 36%, fixed interest
5% and cash 3%. At 31 July the net asset value was 86.11p.
                                      
For further information, please contact:
                                       
David Cavaye
Martin Currie Investment Management Ltd           0131 229 5252
[e-mail]

Jo Stonier
Biddick Harris                                    0171 377 6677
[e-mail]
 
                      MARTIN CURRIE HIGH INCOME TRUST plc
                                       
        Statement of total return (incorporating the revenue account)*
                                       
                  for the period 17 July 1998 to 31 July 1999
                                       
                                              Revenue    Capital     Total
                                                 £000      £000       £000
                                                             
(Losses)/gains on investments - realised            0      (633)      (633)
                              - unrealised          0      (881)      (881)
Income                        - franked         3,268         0      3,268
                              - unfranked         353         0        353
                              - foreign income     72         0         72
                                dividends
Investment management fee                         (74)     (225)      (299)
Other expenses                                      0      (165)      (165)   
                                                _____     _____      _____
                                                      
Net return on ordinary activities before        3,454    (1,739)     1,715
finance costs and taxation
Interest payable and similar charges             (505)   (1,515)    (2,020)
                                                _____     _____      _____

Net return on ordinary activities before        2,949    (3,254)      (305)
taxation
Taxation on ordinary activities                  (506)        0       (506)
                                                _____     _____      _____

Net return on ordinary activities after         2,443    (3,254)      (811)
taxation
Dividends in respect of equity shares          (2,150)        0     (2,150)
(3rd interim 2.15p; 2nd interim 2.15p;          _____     _____      _____
1st interim 1.30p; 4th interim 2.00p)

Transfer to reserves (after aggregate                                     
dividends paid and proposed of 7.60p)             293    (3,254)    (2,961)
                                                _____     _____      _____
Returns per ordinary share                       8.57p   (11.42)p    (2.85)p


*    The revenue column of this statement is the profit and loss account of
     the company.
     All revenue and capital items derive from continuing operations.

*    The weighted average number of shares for the period to 31 July 1999 is
     28,496,042.


                      MARTIN CURRIE HIGH INCOME TRUST plc
                                       
                                 BALANCE SHEET
                                       
                                                    As at               
                                                 31 July 1999
                                              £000          £000              
                                                                    
Investments at market value                                         
Listed on the Stock Exchange in the UK                    67,672 
                                                                    
Current assets                                                      
Debtors                                      1,434                        
Short term deposits and bank balances        1,844                        
                                           _______                        
                                            
                                             3,278                        
                                                                    
Creditors                                                           
Amounts falling due within one year         (2,261)                        
                                           _______                        
Net current assets                                        1,017              
                                                        _______
                                                                    
Total assets less current liabilities                    68,689
                                                                    
Creditors                                                           
Amounts falling due outwith one year
Loan                                                    (36,400)              
                                                        _______
                                                                    
Total net assets                                         32,289               
                                                        _______
                                                                    
Capital and reserves                                                
Called up share capital                                   9,375              
Share premium                                            25,875               
Capital reserves - realised                                (633)              
                 - unrealised                            (2,621)              
Revenue reserve                                             293               
                                                        _______
                                                                    
Total shareholders' funds                                32,289
                                                        _______
                                                                    
Net asset value per ordinary share                       86.11p