News Releases issued to the Stock Exchange
1 May 2001

Interim results for the six months to 28 Febuary 2001

Highlights Group Cash Flow Information
Key Achievements/ Performance Indicators Notes 1 - 7, Notes 8 - 12
Review Review Report (Auditors)
Group Profit & Loss Account Investor Information
Group Balance Sheet City Presentation

GROUP BALANCE SHEET
At 28 Febuary 2001

31 August
2000
£m
             28 February
2001
£m		    29
February
2000
£m
             
             
          Note  
             
    Fixed assets              
108   Intangible assets         402   114
517   Tangible assets         601   474
67   Investments and loans         65   56
77   Associated and joint venture undertakings         75   130
                   
             
769   Total fixed assets         1,143   774
                   
             
    Current assets              
947   Stocks         1,102   944
646   Debtors due within one year         699   651
260   Debtors due after more than one year         264   225
112   Cash at bank and in hand       10 131   129
                   
             
1,965   Total current assets         2,196   1,949
                   
             
    Creditors (due within one year)              
(558)   Short-term borrowings       10 (1,660)   (882)
(116)   Dividends         (47)   (42)
(748)   Other creditors         (779)   (687)
                   
             
(1,422)   Total current liabilities         (2,486)   (1,611)
                   
             
543   Net current assets         (290)   338
                   
             
1,312   Total assets less current liabilities         853   1,112
    Creditors (due after more than one year)              
(806)   Loan capital       10 (175)   (738)
(37)   Other creditors         (47)   (32)
                   
             
(843)   Total creditors due after more than one year         (222)   (770)
                   
             
(213)   Provisions for liabilities and charges         (285)   (161)
                   
             
256   Net assets         346   181
                   
             
    Capital and reserves              
267   Called up share capital         267   267
26   Share premium account         26   26
(823)   Merger reserve         (823)   (823)
-   Revaluation reserve         -   2
720   Profit and loss account       811   653
                   
             
190   Shareholders' funds - equity       7 281   125
66   Minority interests - equity and non-equity       65   56
                   
             
256             346   181