Transaction in Own Shares

Henderson Smaller Cos Inv Tst PLC
21 October 2004

THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

HENDERSON GLOBAL INVESTORS

21 OCTOBER 2004


              THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

                    Market Purchase of Company's Own Shares

Notification is given that pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual
General Meeting of the Company held on 24 September 2004 to make market
purchases of the Company's own shares of 25p, a market purchase of 1,250,000
ordinary shares in the capital of the Company was made today at a price of 148p
per share.

Following this purchase and cancellation there are 108,391,840 shares in issue.


                                     -ENDS-


For further information please contact:

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

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

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


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