Holding in Company

3i Group PLC
3 January 2001


LETTER TO:     COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OFFICE

SECTION 198 COMPANIES ACT 1985
The Listing Rules-Chapter 9, Paragraph 9.11

I am writing to let you know that, on Tuesday 2 January 2001, 3i received a
notification pursuant to Part VI of the Companies Act 1985.

The notification relates to interests of the Prudential Corporation group of
companies in the share capital of 3i Group plc, as shown in the attached copy of
the notification letter.

LETTER FROM:   3I GROUP PLC
LETTER DATED:  2 JANUARY 2001


LETTER TO:    3I GROUP PLC

Companies Act 1985 (as amended) (the 'Act')
Disclosure of Interests in Shares

For the purpose of this and future notifications pursuant to Part VI of the 
Act, we write to inform you that with effect from close of business on 31
December 2000, the regulated business of M&G Investment Management Limited
('MAGIM') was transferred to Prudential Portfolio Managers Limited ('PPM'). The 
latter has today been renamed as M&G Investment Management Limited.
Consequently, you will observe in the current notification (and in all future
notifications henceforth) that the PPM name has in all instances been replaced
by that of M&G.

We also write to inform you that with effect from 28 December 2000, the life and
pensions business of M&G Life Assurance Company Limited and M&G Pensions and
Annuity Company Limited respectively was transferred to Scottish Amicable Life
plc. From the date hereof, all notifications will therefore identify Scottish
Amicable Life plc as the operator of all former M&G life end pension funds.

In view of the above, the schedule below detailing those interests currently
held by Prudential plc and certain of its subsidiary companies, which reflects
the recent changes to the investment management business of M&G. You should be
aware that all notifications will now be made by M&G Investment Management
Limited on behalf of all companies within the Prudential plc group of companies.

For the purpose of S210 of the Act, the address for those companies identified
in the schedule below is Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0HH.

In order to assist us to comply with our notification obligations under the
Banking Act, Insurance Companies Act and Investment Services Regulations, we 
would appreciate it if you would notify us of any future changes within your 
group structure relating to the formation, acquisition or disposal of any of the
following: (1) a bank, (ii) an insurance company and/or (iii) an authorised
investment firm.

LETTER FROM:  M&G INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED



                  Notifiable Position for 3I GROUP ORD GBP0.50
                             as at 29 December 2000

Percentage holdings are calculated using an issued share capital of 606,697,330
ORD GBP0.50 shares


                 Registered Holder                  Holding      %

Prudential plc                                     33,870,764   5.58   Total    
                                                                      Notifiable
                 M&G (LOMBARD ST) NOMS AA             148,000         Interest
                 M&G (LOMBARD ST) NOMS FPM            194,861 
                 M&G (LOMBARD ST) NOMS G               80,000
                 M&G (LOMBARD ST) NOMS K            1,777,000
                 MAGIM HSBC GIS NOM (UK) SALI          82,818
                 PACS GLOBAL EQUITIES (UK)              2,240
                 PRUCLT HSBC GIS NOM(UK) PAC AC    30,370,554
                 PRUCLT HSBC GIS NOM(UK) PHL AC       100,000
                 PRUCLT HSBC GIS NOM(UK) PPL AC     1,087,303 
                 PRUDENTIAL WORLD VALUE FUND           21,380
                 RBSTB NOMINEES LIMITED                 6,068
                 THE CRISIS INVESTMENT RACE               540
The Prudential Assurance Company Limited           31,548,983   5.20  
                 MAGIM HSBC GIS NOM (UK) SALI          82,816
                 PACS GLOBAL EQUITIES(UK)               2,240
                 PRUCLT HSBC GIS NOM(UK) PAC AC    30,370,554
                 PRUCLT HSBC GIS NOM(UK) PPL AC     1,087,303
                 RBSTB NOMINEES LIMITED                 6,068