UNIT GROUP PENSION SCHEME (“the Scheme”)

UNIT GROUP RETIREMENT PLAN (“the Plan”)

Notice is hereby given under section 27 of the Trustee Act 1925 that the Trustees are winding-up both the Scheme and the Plan. Over the last few years, the Trustees have written to all Members and beneficiaries currently receiving benefit who they believe are entitled to benefits under either the Scheme and/or the Plan. If you believe you are entitled to receive benefits from the Scheme and/or the Plan and have not received any form of correspondence from the Trustees since before 1 January 1998, you should write to The Trustees of the Unit Group Pension Scheme/Retirement Plan, c/o Sean Browes, HSBC Actuaries and Consultants Limited, Quay West, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester M17 1PL, to make a claim for such benefits. All persons making such claims should provide full details of their name, address, date of birth and period of Scheme and/or Plan membership together with copies of all documents which support their claim. Furthermore if any person not being a former Member of the Scheme and/or the Plan believes they have any claim against the assets of the Scheme and/or the Plan, they should write to the Trustees at the address shown setting out full details of their claim and including full supporting documentation. Any claim must be made within 2 months of the date of publication of this notice. After the expiry of a period of 2 months the Trustees shall distribute the assets of the Scheme and the Plan, taking account only of claims and interests of which they then have notice. The Trustees will not thereafter be liable to or in respect of any other Member, former Member or other person who had not made a claim on the assets of the Scheme or the Plan. For and on behalf of the Trustees. July 2001.