RNS Number:0158M
Threadneedle Asset Management Ltd
06 June 2003


                                                                   FORM 8.1/8.3

                         Date of disclosure......06/06/03..................


DISCLOSURE UNDER RULES 8.1(a), 8.1(b)(I) AND 8.3 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS
AND MERGERS

Date of dealing 05/06/03...................................................

Dealing in...HACAS GROUP

(1) Class of securities (e.g. ordinary shares) ............PLC..................

(2)     Amount bought           Amount sold           Price per unit

         25,000                                       1.40



(3)     Resultant total of the same class owned or controlled

       (and percentage of class)... 385,000 (1.25%)

 4. Party making disclosure...THREADNEEDLE ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD

 5. EITHER (a) Name of purchaser/vendor (Note 1).................................
   

    OR (b) If dealing for discretionary client(s), name of fund management
    organisations

                        THREADNEEDLE ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD
 6. Reason for disclosure (Note 2)

          (a)      Associate of (i) offeror (Note 3)   /NO                                   
                               (ii) offeree company    /NO

               Specify which category or categories of associate (1-8 overleaf)

               If Category (8), explain.......................................


           (b)     Rule 8.3 (i.e. disclosure because of ownership or
                   control of 1% or more of the class of relevant securities dealt
                   in)                     YES/


Signed, for and on behalf of the party named in (4) above .....................


        (Also print name of signatory) Martyn Horn...........................

Telephone and extension number ......01793 363011...............................

For full details of disclosure requirements, see Rule 8 of the Code. If in
doubt, contact the Panel on Take-overs and Mergers. Tel No: 020 7382 9026.


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

DCCNKAKDDBKDQAK