FORM SAR 3


Lodge with a RIS or Newstrack, if appropriate, and the Takeover Panel.
A copy must also be sent to the company the shares of which are acquired.


Date of disclosure: 19/12/03


DISCLOSURE UNDER RULE 3 OF THE RULES GOVERNING SUBSTANTIAL 
ACQUISITIONS OF SHARES ("SARs")


Date of acquisition: 18/12/03

Acquisition in: Oxford Instruments PLC


(1) (a) Class of voting shares (e.g. ordinary shares):
Ordinary Shares of 5p

(1) (b) Number of shares / rights over shares acquired:
175,000 shares
N/A rights

(1) (c) If rights over shares acquired, as opposed to the shares 
themselves, specify nature of rights:
N/A


(2) (a) Resultant total holding of voting shares (and % of total voting 
shares in issue):
11,034,385 (23.02%)

(2) (b) Resultant total holding of rights over shares (and % of total 
voting shares in issue):
N/A (0.00%)

(2) (c) Total percentage:
23.02%


(3) Party making disclosure:
Aberforth Partners (as Investment Managers)


(4) (a) Name of person acquiring shares or rights over shares:
Aberforth Partners (as Investment Managers)
and, if different, beneficial owner:
N/A

(4) (b) Names of any other persons acting by agreement or understanding 
see SAR 5):
N/A


Signed, for and on behalf of the party named in (3) above:
N/A  Electronic Submission


(Also print name of signatory):
David Holland, For Aberforth Partners


Telephone and extension number:
0131 220 0733


Note: Under SAR 5, the holdings of and acquisitions by persons acting by 
agreement or understanding must be aggregated and treated as a holding of 
or acquisition by one person.  Note 3 on SAR 5 requires persons who must 
aggregate holdings to disclose certain disposals.


For full details of the SARs disclosure requirements, see Rules 3 and 5 
of the SARs.  If in doubt, contact the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, 
Monitoring Section, Tel. No: 020 7638 0129.
(E-mail: monitoring@disclosure.org.uk)