Holding(s) in Company

Smith WH PLC
17 November 2004


                           SCHEDULE 10
 
             NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES


1)   NAME OF COMPANY

WH SMITH PLC

2)   NAME OF SHAREHOLDER HAVING A MAJOR INTEREST

STANDARD LIFE GROUP

3)   Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of 
     holding of the Shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a 
     non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a
     holding of that person's spouse or children under the age of 18

SEE LETTER BELOW DATED 16 NOVEMBER 2004

4)   Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the 
     number of shares held by each of them.

SEE LETTER BELOW DATED 16 NOVEMBER 2004

5)   Number of shares/amount of stock acquired.

N/A

6)   Percentage of issued Class


7)   Number of shares/amount of stock disposed

N/A

8)   Percentage of issued Class


9)   Class of security

ORDINARY SHARES OF 2 13/81 PENCE EACH

10)  Date of transaction

N/A

11)  Date company informed

17 NOVEMBER 2004

12)  Total holding following this notification

7,569,798
               
13)  Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification

4.196%

14)  Any additional information



15)  Name of contact and telephone number for queries

MISS A LAM
01793 562489

16)  Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for 
     making this notification

     Date of Notification ...... 17 NOVEMBER 2004  ..................



Letter to WH Smith PLC

WH Smith Ord GBP 0.02 shares

In terms of Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended), I have to inform you 
on behalf of Standard Life Investments that on 15/11/04, Standard Life 
Investments Purchased 1,268,245 shares on behalf of Standard Life Group. This 
increased the total held as a material interest to 7,569,798 shares being 4.196% 
of the issued stock of that class.

No of shares held                 Registered Name
7,569,798                         Vidacos Nominees

From Citigroup

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