London Stock Exchange Statement Re: UK Competition Commission Provisional Findings

The Board of the London Stock Exchange plc (the Exchange) notes the announcement by the Competition Commission regarding the potential offer for the Exchange by either Deutsche Borse AG or Euronext N.V.

The strong Q1 results announced by the Exchange on 13 July 2005 reinforce the Board's confidence in the Exchange's growth prospects as an independent group. However, the Board also continues to believe that a combination, on the right terms, with another major exchange could be in the best interests of shareholders and customers.