The Company has been notified today for the purposes of Part VI of the
Companies Act 1985 that Nottinghamshire County Council has a notifiable
interest in 5.017% of the issued share capital of Oxford Instruments plc.
Nottinghamshire County Council does not have a direct holding in Oxford
Instruments plc, instead this interest arises as a result of their relationship
with Hermes Lens Asset Management Limited.

The shares to which this notification relates are registered as follows:

                Registered Holder                     Percentage of Holding    
                                                                               
             Chases Nominees Limited                          5.017%           



END