The Company was informed on 30 November 2006 by AMVESCAP PLC (“AMVESCAP”) that, following the purchase of 1,964,136 ordinary shares of 1p each (“Ordinary Shares”), INVESCO Perpetual UK Investment Series (UK ICVC), are the beneficial owner of 266,984,458 Ordinary Shares representing 19.03 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company of 1,402,950,558 Ordinary Shares.

The above purchase increases AMVESCAP’s interest, within the meaning of Part VI of the Act, to 407,242,907 Ordinary Shares representing 29.03 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company.