Board Meeting Notification

W.H. SMITH GROUP PLC
14 October 1999


LETTER TO: COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OFFICE

I write to advise you that arrangements have been made for a Board Meeting to be
held after close of business on 27 October 1999.  It is expected that at that
meeting a preliminary results announcement and a proposed dividend on the
Company's Ordinary Shares for the financial year ended 31 August 1999 will be
approved for immediate notification to the Company Announcements Office on 28
October 1999.

FROM: IAN HOUGHTON