Birse Group PLC - Holding by Nat.Westminster Bk

RNS No 9738x
BIRSE GROUP PLC
14 April 1999


LETTER TO: BIRSE GROUP PLC

SECTION 198 COMPANIES ACT 1985

We, National Westminster Bank Plc, write to advise you pursuant to Section 198
of the Companies Act 1985 (the Act) that:

1.  This notification relates to the ordinary 10p share of Birse Group plc.

2.  The number of shares in which we know we were interested, for the purposes
of sections 208 and 209 of the Act, immediately after the time when the
obligation arose, is shown on the schedule below.

3.  The identities of the registered holders of these shares and the number of
shares held by each holder, so far as is known to us at the date of this
notification, are shown on the schedule.

4.  The percentage quoted on the schedule is based on your issued ordinary share
capital of 192,389,534 as advised to us by Extel.

5.  None of the shares on the schedule relates to interests as mentioned in
Section 208 (5) of the Act.

Schedule of registered holders for notification S198-L01/JCM/99098

Registered Holder                             Number of Shares   Percentage

BNY GIL Client A/C Nominees Ltd                   722,900
Capital Strategy Fund Ltd                         878,700
Chase Nominees Ltd                              4,387,061

Total interest of National Westminster Bank Plc 5,988,661           3.11

FROM: NATWEST GROUP

END

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