RNS Number:7198U
HSBC Bank PLC.
28 January 2004

                                                             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                            28 January 2004

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

W M Morrison Supermarkets plc

Benchmark Group 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                                          28 January 2004
Date of Dealing                                             27 January 2004
Name of EMM                                                 HSBC Bank Plc
Name of Offeree/Offeror with whom connected                 Safeway plc

Total Number of securities purchased                        6,068
Highest price paid*                                         284.55p
Lowest price paid*                                          282p

Total number of securities sold                             -150
Highest price received*                                     283.62p
Lowest price received*                                      283.62p

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                                                  W M Morrison Supermarkets plc
Class of Security                                           Ordinary Shares
Date of Disclosure                                          28 January 2004
Date of Dealing                                             27 January 2004
Name of EMM                                                 HSBC Bank Plc
Name of Offeree/Offeror with whom connected                 Safeway plc

Total Number of securities purchased                        28,738
Highest price paid*                                         225.75p
Lowest price paid*                                          224p

Total number of securities sold                             28,318
Highest price received*                                     225.95p
Lowest price received*                                      224.62p

 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                                                  Benchmark Group plc
Class of Security                                           Ordinary Shares
Date of Disclosure                                          28 January 2004
Date of Dealing                                             27 January 2004
Name of EMM                                                 HSBC Bank Plc
Name of Offeree/Offeror with whom connected                 Benchmark Group plc

Total Number of securities purchased                        98,595
Highest price paid*                                         247p
Lowest price paid*                                          247p

Total number of securities sold                             100,000
Highest price received*                                     247p
Lowest price received*                                      247p

Currency must be stated






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