Chairman's AGM Statement

DE LA RUE PLC
21 July 1999



DE LA RUE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT


At the Annual General Meeting of De La Rue plc today, the Chairman, Brandon
Gough, said:

'I would like to make a few comments on current year trading.  

In Cash Systems division, the main emphasis has been to implement the
rationalisation we announced on 16 March this year.  I am pleased to say that
it is going well and according to plan.  Fixed costs are falling.  We have
already reduced headcount by almost 300, and expect to reach our target of 500
by the end of the calendar year.  Sales are broadly similar to those of this
time last year.

As a result of the reorganisation of the banknote business, our Currency
operations started the year in a much stronger position than last year, with a
good order book.  Banknote prices continue to improve and trading is in line
with our own expectations.  Security Products trading is also good and up on
last year.

Card Systems continues the strong performance it produced in the final quarter
of last financial year, selling record volumes of smart cards and trading
profitably.  There has been some press speculation about Card Systems and on 5
July 1999 we issued a statement confirming that we continue to explore options
for the future of this business.  This remains our position.

We were delighted that the consortium, of which Camelot is a member, is the
preferred bidder to operate the South African National Lottery.  In the UK,
Camelot continues to perform well.  De La Rue Giori, with an orderbook
slightly better than last year, has started the year according to plan.'



Enquiries:

Richard Laing, Finance Director                           01256 329 122
Stephen Hoffman Womersley, Head of Corporate Affairs      01256 605 303