Formal Notice

RNS Number:8036G
Merrill Lynch Defined ReturnsII PLC
23 December 2004



                          STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT


                      Merrill Lynch Defined Returns II Plc


                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 23 December 2004


   Re: Suspension and cancellation from listing of Defined Returns II Income
                   Shares, and Defined Returns II Zero Shares




Merrill Lynch Defined Returns II Plc (the "Company") wish to announce that in
consequence of the Defined Returns II Income Shares and Defined Returns II Zero
Shares (together the "Shares") reaching the maturity of their investment term on
the 13th December 2004 and it now being proposed by the directors that the
Company be put into voluntary liquidation in accordance with the terms and
conditions set out in the Prospectus dated 25th October 2001 pursuant to which
the Shares were offered and subscribed for, an application has been made to the
UK Listing Authority to suspend the listing of the Shares from 5pm British
Summer Time on Monday 13th December 2004 and thereafter cancel the Company's
listing of the Shares on the London Stock Exchange.


Shareholders are advised that the cancellation of listing will take place on the
13th January 2005.




ENQUIRIES:

Arif Mansuri/Mercedes Aspland     Merrill Lynch International          020 7996
1237 / 7745


Date 23 December 2004



Merrill Lynch Defined Returns II Plc


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