Holding(s) in Company

Oxford Instruments PLC
20 March 2002

The Company has been notified today for the purposes of Part VI of the Companies
Act 1985 that Aberforth Partners has a notifiable interest in 7,567,992 Ordinary
Shares of 5p each which, represents 15.80% of the issued share capital of Oxford
Instruments plc. This interest arises as a result of the discretionary
investment management powers that Aberforth Partners can exercise over the funds
of their clients. Aberforth Partners is not the beneficial owner of these
shares.

The shares to which this notification relates are registered as follows:

                        Registered Holder                       Number of Shares

   Clydesdale Bank (Head Office) Nominees Limited A/c ABERFIT1         2,069,700
   Clydesdale Bank (Head Office) Nominees Limited A/c ABERFIT2         1,111,600
   Clydesdale Bank (Head Office) Nominees Limited A/c ABERFUT1         1,098,700
   Clydesdale Bank (Head Office) Nominees Limited A/c ABERLP1A         1,643,996
   Clydesdale Bank (Head Office) Nominees Limited A/c ABERLP1B         1,643,996



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