RNS Number:8089P
Standard Life Investments
16 September 2003

                                                                    FORM 8.1/8.3



Lodge with a RIS or Newstrack if appropriate and the Takeover Panel.  Use a
separate form for each class of securities in which dealings have been made.

The 'Rule 8 - Debenhams' announcement released today at 09:18 under RNS 7990P
has been withdrawn and should be disregarded.

The transaction was in fact a transfer of management to Standard Life
Investments and as such disclosure is not required under Rule 8.








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