Rule 8 - Debenhams plc

RNS Number:5893R
Aviva PLC
03 November 2003


                                                                                                            FORM 8.1/8.3
Date of Disclosure:           3 November 2003

Lodge with a RIS or Newstrack if appropriate and the Takeover Panel. Use separate form for each class of
securities in which dealings have been made.

DISCLOSURE UNDER RULES 8.1(a), 8.1(b)(i) AND 8.3 OF THE CITY CODE ON
TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS

Date of dealing:              31/10/2003

Dealing in (name of company):                                  DEBENHAMS PLC

(1)     Class of securities (e.g. ordinary shares)             ORD 10P

(2)    Amount bought           Amount sold                        Price per unit

           506,700               506,700                              4.662500

(3)     Resultant total of the same class owned or controlled (and percentage of class):                       8,108,274

                                                                                                                  2.215%

(4)     Party making disclosure:           Aviva plc

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

        OR                (b)    If dealing for discretionary client(s), name of fund management organisation

                                                                        Aviva plc and its Subsidiaries

(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 (i.e. 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 part named in (4) above:

(Also print name of signatory):                                  Neil Whittaker

Telephone and extension number:                                  01603 684420

Note 1:     Specify owner, not nominee or vehicle company. If relevant, also identify controller of owner,
            e.g. 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.

Note 5:     It may be necessary, particularly when disclosing derivative transactions, to append a sheet to
            this disclosure form so that all relevant information can be given.

Note 6:     In the case of an average price bargain, each underlying trade should be disclosed.

For full details of disclosure requirements, see Rule 8 of the Code. If in doubt, contact the Panel on
Takeovers and Mergers, Monitoring Section, Tel. No: 020 7638 0129. Email:


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

DCCUOOAROBRARAA