Holding(s) in Company

Oxford Instruments PLC
19 February 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 6,715,000 Ordinary
Shares of 5p each which, represents 14.02% 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         1,217,500
 Clydesdale Bank (Head Office) Nominees Limited A/c ABERLP1B         1,217,500



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