ACORN PENSION AND LIFE ASSURANCE PLAN (“the Plan”)

Notice is hereby given under section 27 of the Trustee Act 1925 that the Trustees are winding-up the Plan. The Trustees have written to all Members and Beneficiaries currently receiving benefit who they believe are entitled to benefits under the Plan. If you believe you are entitled to receive benefits from the Plan and have NOT recently been contacted, you should write to The Trustees of the Acorn Pension and Life Assurance 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 Plan membership together with copies of all documents which support their claim. Furthermore, if any person NOT being a former Member of the Plan believes they have any claim against the assets of 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 3 months of the date of publication of this notice. After the expiry of a period of 3 months the Trustees shall distribute the assets of 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 Plan. For and on behalf of the Trustees June 2001.