Holding in Company

Smiths Group PLC
12 October 2001



Date:  10 October 2001

                        SECTION 198 NOTIFICATION
                        Notification of Decrease

This Notice is given by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. on behalf of its 
affiliates, including Capital Guardian Trust Company, Capital International 
Limited, Capital International S.A., Capital International, Inc., and Capital 
Research and Management Company, pursuant to Section 198 of the Companies Act 
1985.

The interest in the relevant share capital indicated below arises by virtue of 
holdings attributed to the Companies (see Schedule A).  These holdings form part
of funds managed on behalf of investment clients by the Companies.

   Share capital to which this relates:

     Ordinary Shares (555,007,620 shares outstanding) 

Number of shares in which the Companies have an interest:

     66,395,218

Name(s) of registered holder(s):

   See Schedule B

              
As of 10 October 2001
Smiths Group plc

                                                      Number of     Percent of
                                                         Shares    Outstanding

The Capital Group Companies, Inc. ('CG') holdings     66,395,218     11.96%

Holdings by CG Management Companies and Funds:

-  Capital Guardian Trust Company                     44,027,130      7.93%

-  Capital International Limited                      10,480,309      1.89%

-  Capital International S.A.                          1,636,017      0.29%

-  Capital International, Inc.                         1,147,419      0.21%

-  Capital Research and Management Company             9,104,343      1.64%


                                    Schedule A


                      Schedule of holdings in Smiths Group plc
                               As of 10 October 2001

                         Capital Guardian Trust Company

Registered Name                                                 Local Shares

State Street Nominees Limited                                     6,603,089
Bank of New York Nominees                                           921,117
Chase Nominees Limited                                           18,554,628
BT Globenet Nominees Ltd.                                           159,746
Midland Bank plc                                                  6,942,988
Deutsche Bank Mannheim                                                2,100
Bankers Trust                                                     2,342,302
Barclays Bank                                                       886,780
Citibank London                                                   1,431,200
Nortrust Nominees                                                 5,799,688
Royal Bank of Scotland                                               18,012
MSS Nominees Limited                                                 55,300
State Street Bank & Trust Co.                                        12,000
Citibank NA                                                          71,680
Deutsche Bank AG                                                      3,800
HSBC Bank plc                                                         3,300
ROY Nominees Limited                                                 31,000
Mellon Nominees (UK) Limited                                        188,400

                                                       TOTAL     44,027,130
                                   Schedule B


                          Capital International Limited

Registered Name                                               Local Shares

State Street Nominees Limited                                       191,496
Bank of New York Nominees                                           835,203
Chase Nominees Limited                                            2,868,275
Midland Bank plc                                                     27,500
Bankers Trust                                                     4,040,662
Citibank London                                                      81,420
Morgan Guaranty                                                     326,744
Nortrust Nominees                                                 1,521,753
Lloyds Bank                                                          12,900
Vidacos Nominees Ltd.                                                17,845
Citibank                                                              9,504
Deutsche Bank AG                                                    316,400
HSBC Bank plc                                                        40,200
KAS UK                                                               17,007
Bank One London                                                     173,400

                                                       TOTAL     10,480,309


                                 Schedule B

                         Capital International S.A.


Registered Name                                               Local Shares

State Street Nominees Limited                                        37,800
Bank of New York Nominees                                            50,820
Chase Nominees Limited                                              436,198
Credit Suisse London Branch                                          33,000
Midland Bank plc                                                    140,600
Barclays Bank                                                        99,800
Royal Bank of Scotland                                              626,743
National Westminster Bank                                            28,200
Lloyds Bank                                                          32,592
Vidacos Nominees Ltd.                                                33,920
RBSTB Nominees Ltd.                                                   8,500
Citibank NA                                                          16,200
Deutsche Bank AG                                                     57,444
HSBC Bank plc                                                        34,200


                                                     TOTAL        1,636,017


                                Schedule B


                            Capital International, Inc.

Registered Name                                                Local Shares

State Street Nominees Limited                                    418,412
Bank of New York Nominees                                         69,547
Chase Nominees Limited                                           583,460
Deutsche Bank Mannnhelm                                           10,500
State Street Bank & Trust Co.                                     58,000
Citibank NA                                                        7,500


                                                    TOTAL      1,147,419


                                Schedule B


                     Capital Research and Management Company

Registered Name                                                Local Shares

Chase Nominees Limited                                         9,104,343

                                                    TOTAL      9,104,343