Purchase of Own Securities

Foreign & Colonial Smaller Co's PLC
12 February 2001


TO:  COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OFFICE

FOREIGN & COLONIAL SMALLER COMPANIES PLC

Please note that Foreign & Colonial Smaller Companies PLC has today purchased
for cancellation 820,000 ordinary shares in the market at a price of 260p per
share.

Following this purchase, the total number of ordinary shares in issue stands at
94,389,537.


FROM:  D. HARDING
       FOR AND ON BEHALF OF
       FOREIGN & COLONIAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED, SECRETARY