The Company has been notified today for the purposes of Part VI of the
Companies Act 1985 that Devon County Council has a notifiable interest in
5.017% of the issued share capital of Oxford Instruments plc, this interest
arises as a result of their relationship with Hermes Focus Asset Management
Limited.

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

                Registered Holder                     Percentage of Holding    
                                                                               
              Chase Nominees Limited                          5.017%           

In addition to the above mentioned holding Devon County Council has a separate
interest in 19,000 shares (0.040%)



END