Holding in Company

Oxford Instruments PLC
1 December 2000


The Company has been notified today for the purposes of Part VI of the
Companies Act 1985 that Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust plc has a
notifiable interest in 1,937,700 Ordinary Shares of 5p each which, represents
4.05% of the issued share capital of Oxford Instruments plc. 
 
The shares to which this notification relates are registered as follows: 
 

                                                                              
  Registered Holder                                          Number of Shares
 
  Clydesdale Bank (Head Office) Nominees Limited             1,937,700     
  A/c ABERFIT1                                            
 
 
 
 
 
Della Gorham (Mrs) 
Assistant Company Secretary