Transaction in Own Shares

Henderson Smaller Cos Inv Tst PLC
20 October 2006


THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC


HENDERSON GLOBAL INVESTORS


20 OCTOBER 2006





              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 at the Annual General Meeting of the
Company held on 29 September 2006 to make market purchases of the Company's own
shares, a market purchase of 3,404,252 ordinary shares of 25p each of the
Company was made today at a price of 270.50p per share.


Following the purchase and cancellation of the above shares, 89,948,030 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]



Theresa Wat
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