Holding(s) in Company

Smith WH PLC
12 July 2006



             NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES


1)   NAME OF LISTED COMPANY

     WH SMITH PLC


2)   NAME OF SHAREHOLDER HAVING A MAJOR INTEREST

     STANDARD LIFE GROUP


3)   Please state whether notification indicates that it is 
     regarding the holding of the shareholder named in 2 above;
     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 ATTACHED LETTER DATED 12 JULY 2006


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

     SEE ATTACHED LETTER DATED 12 JULY 2006


5)   Number of shares/amount of stock acquired.

     N/A


6)   Percentage of issued Class (any treasury shares held by the
     listed company should not be taken into account when
     calculating percentage)



7)   Number of shares/amount of stock disposed

     N/A


8)   Percentage of issued Class (any treasury shares held by the
     listed company should not be taken into account when
     calculating percentage)



9)   Class of security

     ORDINARY SHARES OF 2 13/81 PENCE EACH


10)  Date of transaction

     N/A

11)  Date listed company informed

     12 JULY 2006


12)  Total holding following this notification

     20,067,813

               
13)  Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
     (any treasury shares held by the listed company should not be taken
     into account when calculating percentage)

     11.08%


14)  Any additional information



15)  Name of contact and telephone number for queries

     MISS A LAM [phone]


16)  Name and signature of duly authorised officer of the listed company
     responsible for making this notification

                           I HOUGHTON, COMPANY SECRETARY


     Date of Notification ......12 JULY 2006..................




To: WH SMITH

Smith Ws Ord GBP0.021605 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 11/07/2006, Standard Life
Investments acquired 1,031,368 shares on behalf of Standard Life Group, this
increased the total held as a notifiable interest (including material and 
non-material interests) to 20,067,813 shares being 11.084% of the issued stock
of that class.

        Total no. of shares held                    Registered Name

             20,067,813                             Vidacos Nominees


From:   Citibank NA, London Branch




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