Holding(s) in Company

Smith WH PLC
11 October 2005

                           SCHEDULE 10
 
             NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES


1)   NAME OF COMPANY

     WH SMITH PLC


2)   NAME OF SHAREHOLDER HAVING A MAJOR INTEREST

     STANDARD LIFE GROUP


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

     SEE LETTER BELOW DATED 11 OCTOBER 2005


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

     SEE LETTER BELOW DATED 11 OCTOBER 2005


5)   Number of shares/amount of stock acquired.

     N/A


6)   Percentage of issued Class



7)   Number of shares/amount of stock disposed

     N/A

8)   Percentage of issued Class

     

9)   Class of security

     ORDINARY SHARES OF 2 13/81 PENCE EACH


10)  Date of transaction

     N/A


11)  Date company informed

     11 OCTOBER 2005


12)  Total holding following this notification

     5,522,332

               
13)  Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification

     3.05%


14)  Any additional information




15)  Name of contact and telephone number for queries

     MISS A LAM
     01793 562489


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



     Date of Notification      11 OCTOBER 2005

LETTER TO:  WH SMITH
     
WH Smith Ord GBP0.021605 shares

In terms of part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended), I have to inform you
on behalf of Standard Life Investments that on 10/10/05, Standard Life
Investments acquired 211,936 shares on behalf of Standard Life Group.  This
increased the total held as a material interest to 5,522,332 shares being 3.052%
of the issued stock of that class.

No. of shares held                              Registered Name

5,522,332                                       Vidacos Nominees


From:  Citigroup

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