Transaction in Own Shares

Henderson Smaller Cos Inv Tst PLC
23 July 2004



HENDERSON GLOBAL INVESTORS

THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

23 JULY 2004


              THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

           Market Purchase by the Company of its own Ordinary Shares



The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc hereby gives notification
that, pursuant to the authority granted to the Company at the Annual General
Meeting on 26 September 2003 to make market purchases of the Company's own
shares, a market purchase of 400,000 ordinary shares of 25p each of the Company
was made today at a price of 147p per share.

Following the purchase and cancellation of the above shares, 110,891,840
ordinary shares of 25p each will remain in issue.

                                     -ENDS-


For further information please contact:
Neil Hermon
The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc
Telephone: [phone]

or

Theresa Wat
The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc
Telephone: [phone]

or

Stephen Westwood
Head of Investment Trusts
Henderson Global Investors
Telephone: [phone]

or

Stephen Phillips
Associate Director
Henderson Global Investors
Telephone: [phone]




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