Holding by Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust

Oxford Instruments PLC
17 January 2000



The Company has been notified today for the purposes of Part VI of the
Companies Act 1985 that Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc has a notifiable
interest in 1,874,000 Ordinary Shares of 5p each which, represents 3.92% of
the issued share capital of Oxford Instruments plc.

The shares to which this notification relates are registered as follows:

Registered Holder
Clydesdale Bank (Head Office) Nominees Limited A/c ABERFIT1

Number of shares
1,874,000



Jo Young
Company Secretarial Assistant