Holding in Company

Diploma PLC
19 July 2001


Letter to Diploma plc

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

In accordance with Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended) (the 'Act'),
we write to inform you that Prudential plc and certain of its subsidiary
companies have a notifiable interest in the issued share capital of your company
as detailed in the schedule below.

Letter from Prudential plc



             Notifiable Position Report for DIPLOMA ORD GBP0.05
                           as at 18 July 2001

Percentage holdings are calculated using an issued share capital of 25,164,345
ORD GBP0.05 shares

                Registered Holder               Holding      %

Prudential plc                                  1,100,000    4.37  Total
                                                                   Notifiable
                                                                   Interest
                PRUCLT HSBC GIS NOM(UK) PAC AC  1,100,000

The Prudential
Assurance
Company Limited                                 1,100,000    4.37

                PRUCLT HSBC GIS NOM(UK) PAC AC  1,100,000