Director Shareholding

Smith WH PLC
6 June 2001


                       DEALINGS BY DIRECTORS


1)  NAME OF COMPANY

WH SMITH PLC

2)  NAME OF DIRECTOR

B C HODSON

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


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


5)  Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected
    with the Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)


6)  Please state the nature of the transaction and the nature and extent of the
    directors interest in the transaction


7)  Number of shares/amount of
    stock acquired


8)   (   %)
    of issued Class


9)  Number of shares/amount
    of stock disposed


10)  (   %)
    of issued Class


11) Class of security


12) Price per share


13) Date of transaction


14) Date company informed



15) Total holding following this notification



16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification



     IF A DIRECTOR HAS BEEN GRANTED OPTIONS BY THE COMPANY PLEASE
                    COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BOXES

17) Date of grant

6 JUNE 2001

18) Period during which or date on which exercisable

1 AUGUST 2006 TO 31 JANUARY 2007

19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option

NIL

20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number.

ORDINARY SHARES OF 55 5/9 PENCE EACH, 4,412


21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price
    is to be fixed at time of exercise

382.40 PENCE


22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held
    following this notification

156,987

23) Any additional information


24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries

AMANDA LAM  [phone]

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

I HOUGHTON

    Date of Notification     6 JUNE 2001