Demerger Effective

Smiths News PLC
01 September 2006


                                                                1 September 2006

                                Smiths News PLC

                               Demerger effective


All the conditions to the Demerger and the creation of two separately listed
companies, Smiths News PLC ('Smiths News') and WH Smith PLC (formerly New WH
Smith PLC), have now been satisfied and the Demerger has become effective.

Smiths News has ceased to be the holding company for the WH Smith Group and is
now the holding company for the News business only. Accordingly, the Board of
Smiths News now comprises the following directors:

Brendan Fitzmaurice    Non-executive Chairman
Dennis Millard         Deputy non-executive Chairman/Senior Independent Director
Mark Cashmore          Chief Executive Officer
Alan Humphrey          Finance Director
Anthony Cann           Non-executive Director
John Worby             Non-executive Director

Robert Walker, Kate Swann, Alan Stewart, John Barton, Mike Ellis, Luke Mayhew
and MT Rainey have resigned from the Board of Smith News with effect from the
Demerger.

Trading in Smiths News shares under the ticker 'NWS' will continue today.

On 8 September 2006, shareholders will be sent share certificates in respect of
their holdings in Smiths News.


Enquiries:

Smiths News
Alan Humphrey                                                   01793 616161
Mark Charlton                                                   01793 616161


The contents of this announcement have been issued by and are the sole
responsibility of Smiths News.

Greenhill & Co. International LLP, which is regulated in the UK by the Financial
Services Authority, is acting for Smiths News PLC as sponsor in connection with
the demerger and for no one else and will not be responsible to any other person
for providing the protections afforded to its clients, or for providing advice
in relation to the demerger.

This announcement is an advertisement and does not comprise a prospectus
relating to Smiths News PLC. It does not constitute or form part of any offer of
securities, or constitute solicitation of any offer of securities. You should
not purchase or subscribe for securities referred to in this announcement except
on the basis of information in the prospectuses published in relation to Smiths
News PLC (and any supplement or amendment thereto).

This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the demerger,
and should not be construed as legal, business, tax or investment advice. The
value of shares can go down as well as up. Past performance is not a guide to
future performance.

Shares in Smiths News PLC have not been and will not be registered under the
United States Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and will be issued in
transactions that are exempt from or not subject to the registration
requirements of such Act. In addition, shares in Smiths News PLC have not been
and will not be registered under the securities laws of any state of the United
States, and will be issued in reliance on available exemptions from such state
law registration requirements.


                                      ENDS



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