Transaction in Own Shares

Henderson Smaller Cos Inv Tst PLC
31 January 2008


THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

HENDERSON GLOBAL INVESTORS

31 January 2008


              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 28 September 2007 to make market purchases of the Company's own
shares, a market purchase of 25,000 ordinary shares of 25p each of the Company
was made today at a price of 220p per share.

Following the purchase and cancellation of the above shares, 82,726,030 ordinary
shares of 25p each will remain in issue.

The capital of the Company with full voting rights is now the above number of
ordinary shares of 25p each.  This figure may be used as the denominator for
calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights.

                                     -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]


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