Service Announcement

London Stock Exchange
5 April 2000


LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE - SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Due to trading demand from the retail market, we are extending the market open
hours.

The end of Mandatory Quote Period and the Order Book Close will still be at
18.30 hours.  The official closing prices will be calculated at 18.30 hours as
will the indices closing values.

From 18.31 hours until 20.00 hours member firms will be able to update quotes on
SEAQ, AIM and SEATS, at their discretion.  SETS, AIM and SEATS will continue to
be available for order entry and execution for use by member firms at their
discretion until 20.00 hours.

Member firms can input trade reports for all markets until 20.15 hours.

DOL quotes will broadcast after 20.08.
 
SEAQ International will not OPEN today

The full schedule is now as follows

For SETS markets:
POBT          15.30
OBT           15.45
OPT1          18.09
VWPT          18.20
EOBT          18.30
OBT2          18.31
OBC           20.00
CLOS          20.04
ADMN          20.06
EOA           20.08

For SEAQ, AIM and SEATS markets will open at:
PMQP          15.30
MQP           15.45
EMQP          18.30
CLOS          20.00
ADMN          20.06
EOA           20.08