Holding in Company

Solitaire Group PLC
24 October 2001

                 DEALINGS BY SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS


1)   NAME OF COMPANY

SOLITAIRE GROUP PLC

2)   NAME OF SHAREHOLDER HAVING A MAJOR INTEREST

HBOS PLC

3)   Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of 
     holding of the Shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a 
     non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a
     holding of that person's spouse or children under the age of 18



4)   Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the 
     number of shares held by each of them.

CHASE NOMINEES LIMITED


5)   Number of shares/amount of stock acquired.




6)   (%) of issued Class

7)   Number of shares/amount of stock disposed

300,000 ORD SHS


8)   (6.58%) of issued Class

9)   Class of security

ORDINARY SHARES


10)  Date of transaction

18.10.01


11)  Date company informed

24.10.01


12)  Total holding following this notification

0
               
13)  Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification

0


14)  Any additional information



15)  Name of contact and telephone number for queries

D TAYLOR  0208 343 7382

16)  Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for 
     making this notification

     Date of Notification ... 24.10.01 ..