DAIWA EUROPE LIMITED PENSION AND LIFE ASSURANCE SCHEME

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to section 27 of the Trustee Act 1925, that the Trustees propose to wind up the occupational scheme known as the Daiwa Europe Limited Pension and Life Assurance Scheme. Any employee or former employee, or widow or dependent of any former employee, of Daiwa Europe NV, Daiwa Europe Limited or Daiwa Europe plc, or any other company which has participated in the Scheme who believes that he or she was a Member of the above Scheme but who has not already taken a refund of his or her contributions, or transferred his or her benefits out of the Scheme or who has not received a letter from BESTrustees relating to the buyout with Standard Life, is requested to write to the person whose name and address is set out below before 22nd February 2001, to make a claim for benefits. Claimants should provide their full name, address, date of birth, name of employer, dates of employment, proof of employment and details of when they were Members of the Scheme. If any other person believes they have a claim against or an interest in the Scheme they are requested to write to the same address setting out the particulars of their claim. The person to whom particulars of such claims and interests shall be sent is: Mr. C. Gilchrist, BESTrustees Plc, Cannon Centre, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6HH.