RNS Number:5440L
HSBC Bank PLC
27 May 2003

                                                             FORM 38.5 (SUMMARY)

Lodge with Company Announcements Office and the Panel. Use a separate form for
each class of securities in which dealings have been made.



CONNECTED EXEMPT MARKET-MAKERS:
DISCLOSURE UNDER RULE 38.5 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS

Name of EMM                                   HSBC Bank Plc
Date of Disclosure                            27 May 2003
Contact Name                                  Leon Passey
Telephone Number                              0207 991 6187


Please see attached disclosure of dealings under Rule 38.5 in the securities
of the following companies:

Safeway plc

AWG plc

Freeport plc


AMENDMENT

If the attached Rule 38.5 disclosure is to amend a previous disclosure, please
state which element(s) of previous disclosure was incorrect:



In the case of option business or dealings in derivatives full details should
be given on a separate sheet so that the nature of the dealings can be fully
understood. For options this include the number of securities under option,
the exercise period (or in the case of exercise, the exercise date),
the exercise price and any option money paid or received. For derivative
this should include, at least, the number of reference securities to which
they relate (when relevant), the maturity date (or if applicable the closing
out date) and the reference price.

For full details of the disclosure requirements see Rules 8 and 38 of the Code.
If in doubt contact the Monitoring Section of the Panel, Tel. No: 020 7638 0129





FORM 38.5
CONNECTED EXEMPT MARKET-MAKERS:
DISCLOSURE UNDER RULE 38.5 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS

Dealing in                                                  Safeway plc
Class of Security                                           Ordinary Shares
Date of Disclosure                                          27 May 2003
Date of Dealing                                             23 May 2003
Name of EMM                                                 HSBC Bank Plc
Name of Offeree/Offeror with whom connected                 Safeway plc

Total Number of securities purchased                        6,071
Highest price paid*                                         274.5625p
Lowest price paid*                                          274p

Total number of securities sold                             2,166
Highest price received*                                     277p
Lowest price received*                                      277p

 * Currency must be stated





FORM 38.5
CONNECTED EXEMPT MARKET-MAKERS:
DISCLOSURE UNDER RULE 38.5 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS

Dealing in                                                  AWG plc
Class of Security                                           Ordinary Shares
Date of Disclosure                                          27 May 2003
Date of Dealing                                             23 May 2003
Name of EMM                                                 HSBC Bank Plc
Name of Offeree/Offeror with whom connected                 WestLB AG

Total Number of securities purchased                        3,459
Highest price paid*                                         506p
Lowest price paid*                                          504.50p

Total number of securities sold                             2,669
Highest price received*                                     508.50p
Lowest price received*                                      504.50p

 * Currency must be stated



FORM 38.5
CONNECTED EXEMPT MARKET-MAKERS:
DISCLOSURE UNDER RULE 38.5 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS

Dealing in                                                  Freeport plc
Class of Security                                           Ordinary Shares
Date of Disclosure                                          27 May 2003
Date of Dealing                                             23 May 2003
Name of EMM                                                 HSBC Bank Plc
Name of Offeree/Offeror with whom connected                 Freeport plc

Total Number of securities purchased                        132,098
Highest price paid*                                         305p
Lowest price paid*                                          305p

Total number of securities sold                             132,098
Highest price received*                                     305.61p
Lowest price received*                                      305.61p

 * Currency must be stated




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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