Interim Management Statement

Henderson Smaller Cos Inv Tst PLC
07 April 2008


HENDERSON GLOBAL INVESTORS

THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC


7 April 2008


              THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

     Second Interim Management Statement for the year beginning 1 June 2007


The objective of The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc is to
maximise shareholders' total returns by investing in smaller companies that are
listed in the United Kingdom.  The benchmark is the Hoare Govett Smaller
Companies (excluding investment companies) Index.  The Manager is Henderson
Global Investors Limited.  Information about the Company can be found on the
Manager's website www.itshenderson.com

Review of the second six month period, beginning 1 December 2007

Between 30 November 2007 and 31 March 2008 the net asset value per share
(including current financial year revenue items) fell by 5.3%, outperforming the
Company's benchmark which returned -8.1%.  The markets have remained volatile
and prone to sharp movements from day to day; but since February share prices
have risen modestly, with the small and mid cap areas in which the Company
invests outperforming the market as a whole.  The Company has maintained a
modest level of gearing.  As at 31 March 2008 the Company had total borrowings
of £35 million, representing gearing of 14%.

Since 30 November 2007 the Company has bought back for cancellation a total of
3,057,000 of its ordinary shares.  The number of ordinary shares in issue is
currently 80,814,030.  The share price at 31 March 2008 was 247p, giving the
Company a market capitalisation of £199.6 million.

There are no other material events or transactions to report.

Net Asset Value

As at close of business on 31 March 2008, the unaudited net asset value per
share, calculated in accordance with the AIC (Association of Investment
Companies) formula (but including current financial year revenue items) was
309.1p.  The unaudited net asset value per share, including current financial
year revenue items but calculated by valuing the Company's debenture stock at
market value, was 301.1p.




              THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

     Second Interim Management Statement for the year beginning 1 June 2007


Largest Investments

The top twenty holdings as at 31 March 2008 were:

WSP Group
W S Atkins
Interserve
Informa
Balfour Beatty
Spectris
Domino Printing
Bellway
Carillion
International Ferro Metals
Laird
Intermediate Capital
Mouchel Parkman
Wellstream
Capital & Regional Properties
Victrex
SIG
Premier Oil
Rotork
Bovis Homes


These investments represent 42.4% of the total portfolio valuation at 31 March
2008 of £284.8 million.



                                      ENDS



For further information, please contact:

Neil Hermon
Fund Manager
The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc
Telephone: [phone]

James de Sausmarez
Head of Investment Trusts
Henderson Global Investors
Telephone: [phone]


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