RNS Number:8078J
Merrill Lynch Investment ManagersLd
09 April 2003

FORM 8.1/8.3

Lodge with Company Announcements Office (which will publicise and copy to the
Panel). Use separate form for each class of securities in which dealings have
been made.

Date of disclosure: 9th April, 2003

DISCLOSURE UNDER RULES 8.1(a), 8.1(b)(i) AND 8.3 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKE-OVERS
AND MERGERS

Date of dealing:      8th April, 2003

Dealing in:           Six Continents plc          (Name of Company)

(1) Class of securities: 28p Ordinary Shares           (eg ordinary shares):

(2)
Amount bought                Amount sold                      Price per unit
18,488                                                        609p
3,278                                                         609.85p

(3)     Resultant total of the same class owned or controlled

        (and percentage of class 10,894,183     (1.25%)

(4)     Party making disclosure : MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT MANAGERS LIMITED



(5)     EITHER (a) Name of purchaser/vendor (note 1)

        OR (b) If dealing for discretionary client(s), name of fund management
               organisation:

               MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT MANAGERS LIMITED



(6)     Reason for disclosure (Note 2)

       (a) associate of (i) offeror (Note 3)     XXX/NO

                       (ii) offeree company      YES/XX

        Specify which category or categories of associate (1-8 overleaf)

        If category (8), explain Category 2 - Six Continents plc

        (b) Rule 8.3 (ie disclosure because of ownership or control of 1%

        or more of the class of relevant securities dealt in)     YES/XX

Signed, for and on behalf of the party named in (4) above

(Also print name of signatory): Frances Morten

Telephone and extension number 020 7964 5952




        Note 1.     Specify owner, not nominee or vehicle company. If relevant,
        also identify controller of owner, eg where an owner normally acts on
        instructions of a controller.

        Note 2.     Disclosure might be made for more than one reason: if so,
        state all reasons.

        Note 3.     Specify which offeror if there is more than one.

        Note 4.     When an arrangement exists with any offeror, with the
        offeree company or with an associate of any offeror or of the offeree
        company in relation to relevant securities, details of such arrangement
        must be disclosed, as required by Note 6 on Rule 8.
        ........................................................................................



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