Interim Management Statement

Henderson Smaller Cos Inv Tst PLC
28 September 2007



HENDERSON GLOBAL INVESTORS

THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

28 September 2007

              THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

    First Interim Management Statement for the period from 1 June 2007 to 28
                                 September 2007



The objective of The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc is to
maximise shareholders' total returns by investing in smaller companies that are
listed in the United Kingdom.  The benchmark is the Hoare Govett Smaller
Companies (excluding investment companies) Index.  The Manager is Henderson
Global Investors Limited.  Information about the Company can be found on the
Manager's website www.itshenderson.com


Review of the Period

Since 31 May 2007 the net asset value per share has fallen by about 12%,
underperforming the Company's benchmark by approximately 1%.  Markets have been
volatile and prone to sharp movements, a reflection of the crisis in the
sub-prime mortgage market in the US and its effect on the credit markets.  The
Company has maintained a modest level of gearing.  As at 27 September 2007 the
Company had total borrowings of £35 million, representing gearing of 13%.

Since 31 May 2007 the Company has bought back for cancellation a total of
2,480,000 of its ordinary shares.  The number of ordinary shares in issue is
currently 84,146,030.  The share price at 27 September 2007 was 284.5p, giving
the Company a market capitalisation of £239.4 million.

The shareholders vote every three years on whether the Company should continue.
At the Annual General Meeting held on 28 September 2007 the shareholders voted
overwhelmingly in favour of the Company's continuation as an investment trust.
The shareholders approved the final dividend of 1.70p per ordinary share in
respect of the year ended 31 May 2007 and this will be paid on Friday 5 October
2007.


There are no other material events or transactions to report.



Net Asset Value

As at close of business on 27 September 2007, the unaudited net asset value per
share, calculated in accordance with the AIC (Association of Investment
Companies) formula (excluding current financial year items) was 341.3p.  The net
asset value per share, calculated by valuing the Company's debenture stock at
market value, was 333.7p.





              THE HENDERSON SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC


     First Interim Management Statement for the year beginning 1 June 2007



Largest Investments
The top twenty holdings as at 27 September 2007 were:
W S Atkins

WSP GroupInforma
Interserve
Spectris
Domino Printing
Balfour Beatty
Laird
Anite
Bellway
Carillion
CSR
Synergy Healthcare
Charter Consolidated
VT Group
Intermediate Capital
Enodis
BSS Group
Mouchel Parkman
Wellstream



These investments represent 41.0% of the total portfolio valuation at 27
September 2007

of £325.3 million.

                                      ENDS


For further information, please contact:

Neil Hermon
Fund Manager
The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc
Telephone: [phone]

Theresa Wat
Deputy Fund Manager
The Henderson Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc
Telephone: [phone]

James de Sausmarez
Head of Investment Trusts
Henderson Global Investors
Telephone: [phone]


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange