RNS Number:1640J
Merrill Lynch International
25 March 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                                                     Merrill Lynch International
Date of disclosure                                              25 March 2003
Date of dealing                                                 24 March 2003
Telephone number                                                020 7996 1038
Please see attached disclosure of dealings under Rule 38.5 in the securities of the following companies:
24 March 2003
Thistle Hotels Plc - Ordinary
Six Continents Plc - Ordinary
Safeway Plc - Common
AMENDMENT
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 should 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 derivatives 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 disclosure requirements see Rules 8 and 38 of the Code. If in doubt contact the Monitoring
Section of the Panel, Tel. No: 0171 638 0129
                                                 FORM 38.5
  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
Dealing in                                                      Thistle Hotels Plc
Class of security                                               Ordinary
Date of disclosure                                              25 March 2003
Date of dealing                                                 24 March 2003
Name of EMM                                                     Merrill Lynch International
Name of offeree/offeror with whom connected                     Thistle Hotels Plc
Number of securities purchased                                   3,146
Highest price paid*                                             GBP    1.18
Lowest price paid*                                              GBP    1.18
Number of securities sold                                       Nil
Highest price paid*                                             n/a
Lowest Price Paid*                                              n/a
*Currency must be stated
                                                 FORM 38.5
  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
Dealing in                                                      Six Continents Plc
Class of security                                               Ordinary
Date of disclosure                                              25 March 2003
Date of dealing                                                 24 March 2003
Name of EMM                                                     Merrill Lynch International
Name of offeree/offeror with whom connected                     Six Continents Plc
Number of securities purchased                                   292,532
Highest price paid*                                             GBP    6.29
Lowest price paid*                                              GBP    6.08
Number of securities sold                                        102,252
Highest price paid*                                             GBP    6.23
Lowest price paid*                                              GBP    6.11
*Currency must be stated
                                                 FORM 38.5
  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
Dealing in                                                      Safeway Plc
Class of security                                               Common
Date of disclosure                                              25 March 2003
Date of dealing                                                 24 March 2003
Name of EMM                                                     Merrill Lynch International
Name of offeree/offeror with whom connected                     Trackdean Investments Ltd
Number of securities purchased                                   1,578,749
Highest price paid*                                             GBP    2.64
Lowest price paid*                                              GBP    2.56
Number of securities sold                                        1,453,222
Highest price paid*                                             GBP    2.65
Lowest price paid*                                              GBP    2.56
*Currency must be stated
                                                                                          Rule 38.5 (CFD)
                                          CONNECTED EXEMPT MARKET-MAKERS / EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADERS:
                                DISCLOSURE UNDER RULE 38.5 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS
             Dealing in Contract for Differences ("CFD") referenced to Safeway Plc Ordinary
             Date of Disclosure:                                          25 March 2003
             Date of Dealing                                              24 March 2003
             Name of EMM / EPT                                            Merrill Lynch International
             Name of offeree/offeror with whom connected                  Trackdean Investments Ltd
             Product Type                                                 LONG CFD
             Maturity Date                                                27 April 2004
             Writing of CFD
             Number of Ordinary to which the CFD is referenced            25,000
            CFD Reference Price Range                                   2.56      to    2.56      GBP
             Closing Out of CFD
             Number of Ordinary to which the CFD is referenced            Nil
             CFD Reference Price Range                                    n/a
                         Further Disclosure should be made where necessary so that the nature of the dealings can be
                                                              fully understood


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