RNS No 7702u
ECCLESIASTICAL INSURANCE OFFICE PLC
1st July 1997

Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc ("EIO") has applied to the
London Stock Exchange for 1,600,001 8.625 per cent. Non-
Cumulative Irredeemable Preference Shares of #1 each (the "new
8.625 per cent. Preference Shares") of EIO to be admitted to
the Official List.  The new 8.625 per cent. Preference Shares
will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing
#16,499,999 8.625 per cent. Non-Cumulative Irredeemable
Preference Shares of #1 each of EIO currently in issue save
that the first dividend payment on the new 8.625 per cent.
Preference Shares will be payable on 31st December 1997 for
the period from and including the date of admission to the
Official List up to but excluding 31st December 1997.

The new 8.625 per cent. Preference Shares will be issued to
Ecclesiastical Insurance Group plc, the parent company of EIO,
which will subscribe in cash at par for such shares.

Copies of this announcement are available from The Company
Announcements Office of the London Stock Exchange for the
period of 2 business days from the date hereof and from The
Registered Office of the Company for the period of 14 days
from the date hereof.

END