VDC PLC
19 August 1999

                          GENUS PLC OFFER FOR VDC PLC

   Compulsory acquisition of outstanding VDC Shares and cancellation of the
                             listing of VDC Shares

Genus  is today posting formal notices to those VDC Shareholders who have  not
yet  accepted the Offer informing them that it will compulsorily acquire their
VDC Shares under the provisions of section 429 of the Companies Act 1985.   In
the meantime the Offer remains open for acceptance.

On  30 September 1999, Genus intends to apply to the London Stock Exchange for
the cancellation of the listing of VDC Shares.

For further information please contact:

Richard Wood, Chief Executive, Genus plc                    01270 536501

Giles Elliott, Director, Singer & Friedlander Limited       0171 523 5803

The  definitions used in the Offer Document dated 26 April 1999 apply in  this
announcement.

Singer & Friedlander is regulated in the United Kingdom by The Securities  and
Futures Authority Limited and is acting exclusively for Genus and no one  else
in  connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than
Genus  for  providing  the  protections afforded  to  customers  of  Singer  &
Friedlander nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer.