MICROVITEC PLC NEW PENSION AND LIFE ASSURANCE PLAN (“THE SCHEME”)

Notice is hereby given, under section 27 of the Trustee Act 1925, that the Trustees are winding-up the Scheme. Recently, the Trustees have written to all Members who they believe are entitled to benefits under the Scheme. If you believe you are entitled to receive benefits from the Scheme and have not received any form of correspondence from the Trustees since before 27 April 2001, you should write to The Trustees of the Microvitec PLC New Pension and Life Assurance Plan, c/o Mrs Carole Skeoch, 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 membership together with copies of all documents which support their claim. Furthermore if any person not being a former Member of the Scheme believes they have any claim against the assets of the Scheme, 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 two months of the date of publication of this notice. After the expiry of a period of two months the Trustees shall distribute the assets of the Scheme and the Plan, taking account only of claim 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 January 2002.