BTR PLC - Rule 8 Disclosure

RNS No 5877t
BTR PLC

                                       Date of Disclosure...30TH DECEMBER 1998..

               DISCLOSURE UNDER RULES 8.1(a), 8.1(b)(i) and 8.3
                 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKE-OVERS AND MERGERS

Date of dealing...29TH DECEMBER 1998..........

Dealing in......BTR PLC....................................(name of company)

(1)  Class of securities (eg ordinary shares)...30 10/13P ORDINARY SHARES.

(2)  Amount bought                  Amount sold             Price per unit

                                    203,125                 124P

(3)  Resultant total owned or controlled of ordinary shares
(and percentage of class)........53,446,752........................ (1.65%)

(4)  Party making disclosure....MERCURY ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP LTD.......

(5)  EITHER (a) Name of purchaser/vendor (Note 1)..............................

     OR     (b) if dealing for discretionary client(s), name of fund management
                organisation
................................MERCURY ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP LTD............

(6)  Reason for disclosure (Note 2)  
     (a) associate of (i)  offeror (Note 3)                             NO
                      (ii) offeree company                              NO

Specify which category or categories of associate (1-8 overleaf)...............

If category (8), explain........................................................

................................................................................
     (b) Rule 8.3 (ie disclosure because of ownership or control of 1% or more
         of the class of relevant securities dealt in)                  YES

Signed, for and on behalf of the party named in (4) above.......................

(Also print name of signatory)...NICK SAVAGE....................................

Telephone and extension number....0171 615 5907..............................

Note 1.   Specify owner, not nominee or vehicle company.  If relevant, also
          identify controller of owner, eg where an owner normally acts on
          instructions of a controller.

Note 2.   Disclosure might be made for more than one reason; if so, state all
          reasons.

Note 3.   Specify which offeror if there is more than one.

Note 4.   When an arrangement exists with any offeror, with the offeree company
          or with an associate of any offeror or of the offeree company in
          relation to relevant securities, details of such arrangement must be
          disclosed, as required by Note 6 on Rule 8...........................
          .....................................................................
          ......................................................................

For full details of disclosure requirements, see Rule 8 of the Code.  If in
doubt, contact the Panel on Take-overs and Mergers, Tel. No: 0171-382 9026.

END


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