NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE CANADA, OR JAPAN

London Stock Exchange plc

The Board of London Stock Exchange plc (“the Exchange”) notes the ending of Macquarie’s Offer and now proposes to proceed with the return of £510 million to shareholders (the “Return”) and subsequently commence an ongoing share buyback programme of up to £50 million per annum, as announced on 17 February 2006. The Exchange will publish as soon as practicable full details of the Return and a detailed timetable, with a view to completing the process before the end of May 2006.

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Merrill Lynch International, which is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for the London Stock Exchange and no-one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than the London Stock Exchange for providing the protections afforded to clients of Merrill Lynch International nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer.

Lehman Brothers Europe Limited, which is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for the London Stock Exchange and no-one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than the London Stock Exchange for providing the protections afforded to clients of Lehman Brothers Europe Limited nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer.

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