Preferred Bidder Status

Capita Group PLC
20 July 2000

                                     
           CAPITA SELECTED FOR CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU PROGRAMME


The  Criminal  Records Bureau today announced that the  Capita  Group  Plc
(Capita)   has  been  selected  as  preferred  bidder  to  undertake   the
development  of  the  Information  Systems  infrastructure  and   ten-year
operation  on behalf of the new Bureau.  Capita will operate the  complete
process from receiving applications to issuing certificates.

The  Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is being established by the Home Office
to  improve  access  to  criminal  record checks  for  employment  related
purposes.   In  particular it will support safer  recruitment  to  protect
children and vulnerable adults against those who might wish to harm them.

The  CRB  Chief Executive, Bernard Herdan, said today 'I am  delighted  to
announce  that Capita has been selected as our partner for this  extremely
important  venture.   Depending on volumes of demand for  certificates  we
estimate  the value of the contract to be in the region of £400m over  ten
years.   Capita  will  provide all of the essential IT infrastructure  and
business  processes to deliver a high standard of service to  the  public.
Capita will be working in partnership with my staff, the police, DfEE, and
Department  of  Health  to achieve the CRB's aims  of  facilitating  safer
recruitment to protect children and vulnerable adults.  The CRB operations
will  be based on Merseyside.  When it is in full operation we expect that
up to 1000 new jobs will be created there to deliver the new service.'

Mr  Herdan added 'Capita's response to our Invitation to Tender offered us
the  best  combination  of  technical design, customer  service,  business
processes,  schedule and price.  Capita has been awarded preferred  bidder
status.   We  need  to work with them for a short period to  finalise  the
contract  and hope to be in a position to sign very shortly when the  work
on the business case and investment appraisal has been completed.'

Rod  Aldridge, Executive Chairman of Capita commented:  'Our key  strength
is in delivering modern effective services which combine solid operational
experience  with the vision of our service designers.  We also  understand
the  dynamics of delivering Government Services through partnership.   Our
network  of  leading edge customer contact centres already handle  over  8
million  contacts  annually  from customers.   We  deal  with  10  million
taxpayers, and manage pay and pensions for 3 million people per annum.  We
are delighted to have been chosen by the CRB as their preferred partner in
this project'.


For further information please contact:

The Capita Group Plc                                 Tel:  [phone]
Rod Aldridge, Executive Chairman
Shona Nichols, Marketing Director

Hogarth Partnership Limited (for Capita):            Tel:  [phone]
James Longfield
John Olsen

Criminal Records Bureau                              Tel:  [phone]
Home Office Press Office


Notes To Editors


1.  The Capita Group Plc is one of the largest and fastest growing
    professional support services organisations in the UK.  The Group
    delivers a range of integrated solutions encompassing customer
    services, human resource services, software services, systems and
    strategic support and property services to both public sector and
    private organisations.  With over 7,500 people at over 100 UK sites,
    Capita is quoted on the London Stock Exchange with a turnover of £327
    million and a market capitalisation of over £4 billion.  Capita became
    a FTSE 100 company in March 2000.  For more information, visit our
    website: www.capita.co.uk
    
2.  The Criminal Records Bureau will undertake criminal record checks for
    individuals, on application, and in exchange for a fee.  The Bureau
    will issue three types of certificate, each representing a different
    level of check.
    
3.  The CRB will start registering employers and voluntary groups in March
    2001, with the first certificate being issued in summer.  Priority
    will be given to high level checks relating to employment or voluntary
    service involving contact with children, so this type of certificate
    will be issued first.
    
4.  On 16 December, Home Office Minister Charles Clarke announced 'The
    Home Secretary has confirmed that Bernard Herdan, Chief Executive of
    the Passport Agency, will also be Chief Executive of the CRB. He will
    chair the CRB Management Board and account to the Home Secretary, to
    Parliament and to stakeholders for the CRB's performance'. The CRB
    operates as a separate business unit, publishing its own Business Plan
    and Annual Report.
    
5.  For more information and for organisations to register an interest,
    see the website www.crb.gov.uk