Holding(s) in Company

14 August 2006

The Company has been notified today for the purposes of Section 198 of the
Companies Act 1985 that Devon County Council has a material interest in 8.364%
of the issued share capital of Oxford Instruments plc, this interest arises as
a result of their relationship with Hermes Focus Asset Management Limited (UK
Small Companies Focus Fund).

The shares to which this notification relates are registered as follows:

Registered Holder              Number of Shares               Percentage of    
                                                              Holding          
                                                                               
Chase Nominees Limited         4,076,726                      8.364%