Interim Results

HENDERSON HIGH INCOME TRUST PLC
19 August 1999



                HENDERSON HIGH INCOME TRUST PLC

 Unaudited Interim Results for the half year ended 30 June 1999


Highlights:


* Yield almost twice that of the FTSE All-Share Index

* Net asset value per ordinary share increased by 6.3% to 186.6p (31
  December 1998: 175.6p)

* Earnings per ordinary share increased by 6.9% to 4.16p (30 June 1998:
  3.89p)


The Chairman's Statement:

Assets
Most  market commentators were caught out by the strong share price  gains
during the first half of 1999. Company share prices shrugged off the Asian
crisis  of last year and recorded solid gains despite falling bond prices.
The  net  assets of the Company attributable to the ordinary  shares  rose
6.3%  compared  with  an increase of 10.2% for the FTSE  All-Share  Index;
however  neither of these figures include the reinvestment of income.  One
of  the Company's prime objectives is to provide a high level of income on
the ordinary shares, now almost twice that of the FTSE All-Share Index.

The  first  half  of this year has been dominated by interest  rate  cuts,
which has prompted a change in the market's leaders. Investors have sought
to  capitalise  on  increased economic activity by switching  from  highly
rated  growth  stocks to cyclical and recovery stocks. The  flip  side  of
increased  economic growth is that inflation may turn up from the  present
low  levels.  The  pricing  of  bonds is  extremely  sensitive  to  future
expectations of rising inflation and bonds have generally fallen in  price
during 1999.


Earnings and Dividends
The  earnings of the Company amounted to 4.16p over the first half of this
year,  a  rise  of  6.9% on the same period last year. This  healthy  rise
reflects an increase in the dividends from investments and further special
dividends.  Companies as diverse as Unilever, Royal  &  Sun  Alliance  and
Woolwich  all paid special dividends to release capital, surplus to  their
business  requirements. The level of special dividends should moderate  as
tax  changes from April have made share buy-backs a more efficient way for
companies to return excess capital.

It  is  pleasing to continue to demonstrate a progressive dividend policy.
The  board expects to increase the total net dividend to a figure not less
than 7p, for the year to 31 December 1999.


Prospects
There is now ample evidence of economic recovery in the UK, as illustrated
by  a  vibrant housing market and rising business confidence. Low interest
rates  and  economic  recovery provide a sound base for  rising  corporate
profits;  however share valuations appear to be reflecting  this  positive
backdrop.

The  Company's investment policy is designed to lean towards conservatism,
protecting future income generation while maintaining exposure to  capital
growth.


Sir Anthony Beaumont-Dark
Chairman
19 August 1999

                                     
Group Statement of Total Return (incorporating the revenue account)
for the half year ended 30 June 1999

                                  (unaudited)            (unaudited)
                            Half year ended 30 June    Half year ended 30 June
                                     1999                   1998
                            Revenue Capital   Total Revenue Capital   Total
                              £'000  £'000   £'000   £'000   £'000   £'000
                                                                          
Total capital gains from          -  5,547   5,547       -  10,052  10,052
investments
Income from fixed asset       2,808      -   2,808   2,617       -   2,617
investments
Other interest receivable         6      -       6      81       -      81
and similar income
                            ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                                
Gross revenue and capital     2,814  5,547   8,361   2,698  10,052  12,750
gains
                                                                          
Management fee                (211)  (105)   (316)   (187)    (93)   (280)
Other administrative           (71)      -    (71)    (70)       -    (70)
expenses
                            ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                               
Net return on ordinary                                                    
activities before
interest payable and          2,532  5,442   7,974   2,441   9,959  12,400
taxation
                                                                          
Interest payable               (35)   (35)    (70)       -       -       -
                            ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                               
Net return on ordinary                                                    
activities
  before taxation             2,497  5,407   7,904   2,441   9,959  12,400
                                                                          
Taxation on net return on                                                 
ordinary
  activities                   (310)     42   (268)   (393)      29   (364)
                            ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                               
Net return on ordinary                                                    
activities
  after taxation               2,187  5,449   7,636   2,048   9,988  12,036
                                                                          
Dividends (note 2)            (1,841)      - (1,841) (1,789)       - (1,789)
                            ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                               
Transfer to reserves            346  5,449   5,795     259   9,988  10,247
                            ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                                                                              
                       
Return per ordinary share     4.16p 10.36p  14.52p   3.89p  18.99p  22.88p
                            ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
                              
                                                                          

The revenue columns of this statement represent the revenue accounts of
the Group.


Summary of Group Net Assets
at 30 June 1999
                            (unaudited)  (unaudited)    (audited)
                                30 June      30 June  31 December
                                   1999         1998         1998
                                  £'000        £'000        £'000
                                                                
Investments at market           100,551       95,886       95,787
value
                                                                
Net current                     (2,377)        1,266       (3,408)
(liabilities)/assets
                                -------      -------      --------
Total net assets                 98,174       97,152        92,379
                                 ======       ======        ======
                                                                
Net asset value per              186.6p       184.7p        175.6p
ordinary share
                                -------      --------      --------
Notes :

1.31 December 1998 Accounts
  The figures and financial information for the year ended  31
  December  1998  are  extracted  from  the  latest  published
  accounts  of  the Group and do not constitute the  statutory
  accounts  for that year. Those accounts have been  delivered
  to the Registrar of Companies and included the report of the
  auditors  which  was  unqualified  and  did  not  contain  a
  statement  under either section 237(2) or section 237(3)  of
  the Companies Act 1985.

2. Dividends
   A first interim dividend of 1.75p (1998: 1.70p) was paid on
   30 July 1999.

  A  second  interim dividend of 1.75p (1998: 1.70p) has  been
  declared   payable  on  29  October  1999  to   shareholders
  registered at the close of business on 10 September 1999.

3.Interim Report
  The  interim report will be posted to shareholders in  early
  September and copies will be available from the Secretary at
  the  Company's registered office, 3 Finsbury Avenue,  London
  EC2M 2PA, thereafter.
                               
For further information please contact :

Alex Crooke
Portfolio Manager
Henderson High Income Trust plc
Telephone: [phone]

Norman Brown
Client Service Director
Henderson High Income Trust plc
Telephone: [phone]

or Vicki Staveacre
Henderson Press Office
Telephone: [phone]