DECLARATION OF CONSENT - WHSmith PLC

1 Issue 2 June 2006 DECLARATION OF CONSENT I understand and agree that any offer and commencement of employment is conditional to satisfactory referencing. I confirm that the information I have provided on the online Pre-employment Referencing Form is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I hereby authorise WHSmith Retail Holdings Ltd, or an approved outsourced referencing agency acting on their behalf, to verify information presented on my Pre-employment Referencing form, which may include sensitive personal data for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the obtaining of documents and/or information covered by the European Directive 95/46 and/or by applicable domestic data protection legislation.

2 I authorise WHSmith Retail Holdings Ltd, or an approved outsourced referencing agency acting on their behalf, to perform reference checks of my employment, education (if applicable)and to contact the Department for Work and Pensions to confirm periods of unemployment (if applicable). I hereby understand and accept that, where applicable, this data may be sent and processed outside the United Kingdom in a country without specific data protection laws. I authorise WHSmith Retail Holdings Ltd, or an approved outsourced referencing agency acting on their behalf, to procure financial probity and credit reports, covering bankruptcy and county court judgements checks in the UK, and if appropriate, overseas. I authorise WHSmith Retail Holdings Ltd, or an approved outsourced referencing agency acting on their behalf, to perform Basic Disclosure checks through Disclosure Scotland.

3 I understand that Disclosure Scotland is an organisation that carries out specific checks and then issue certificates which give details of an individual's criminal convictions, or state that they have none. I therefore give permission for Disclosure Scotland to forward the Disclosure Certificate to WHSmith Retail Holdings Ltd, or an approved outsourced referencing agency acting on their behalf (The Security Watchdog, Cross and Pillory House, Cross and Pillory Lane, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1HL or Debonair, Crossbow House, 40 Liverpool Road, Slough, SL1 4QZ), and for it to be opened upon receipt. I give permission for the certificate to be stored in my staff personnel file. I agree to inform my manager if I commit a disqualifying offence after having obtained a basic Disclosure Certificate. Failure to do so will be a disciplinary offence and will be dealt with in accordance with the Company s disciplinary procedure If appropriate, I give permission for the certificate to be passed to the Airport Authority for the purpose of obtaining a pass for accessing the Restricted Zone of the airport.

4 I understand that WHSmith Retail Holdings Ltd, or an approved outsourced referencing agency acting on their behalf, shall not use the certificate or disclose the contents if the certificate for any other purpose. I agree that if my employment is terminated within a year or within the duration of my fixed term contract (fixed term contract employees only) for reason of resignation or misconduct, that I will be required to repay the cost of the certificate and the cost of the airside pass and I give WHSmith Retail Holdings Ltd permission to deduct this from my final pay. I understand that if an unsatisfactory reference or a criminal record is received, after I have accepted a role with WHSmith , that WHSmith may terminate my offer of employment. I confirm that my CONSENT is explicit, fully informed and freely given for the purposes of the act. I also understand that it may be a criminal offence to attempt to obtain employment by deception and that any misrepresentation, omission of a material fact or deception will be cause for immediate cancellation of consideration for employment.

5 Title First Name Surname Signed Date Issue 2 June 2006 Role Category (Please tick appropriate box(es) Checks to be carried out Quick Check & High Street / UNS Stores Management / Level 1 5 year financial probity check to cover bankruptcy and county court judgements. Plus one verbal year employment history to cover employment / unemployment / self-employment reference checks. Basic criminal records check via Disclosure Scotland for UK or International Criminality Search via court data where required. Quick Check & Travel Stores Management / Level 2 5 year financial probity check to cover bankruptcy and county court judgements. Plus one verbal year employment history to cover employment / unemployment / self-employment reference checks.)

6 Basic criminal records check via Disclosure Scotland for UK or International Criminality Search via court data where required. Head Office Staff Grade D and above / Level 3 3 year employment history to cover employment / unemployment / self-employment reference checks. 5 year financial probity checks to cover bankruptcy and county court judgements. Basic criminal records check via Disclosure Scotland for UK or International Criminality Search via court data where required. Head Office Staff Professional Qualifications check / Level 4 In addition to Head office staff grade D and above checks Head Office Staff Directorship check / Level 5 In addition to Head office staff grade D and above checks Head Office Staff Professional and Directorship check / Level 6 In addition to Head office staff grade D and above checks HOME ADDRESS HISTORY Please ensure that the last 5 years are covered CURRENT ADDRESS (INCLUDING POST CODE): RESIDENT FROM: RESIDENT TO: PREVIOUS ADDRESS (INCLUDING POST CODE): RESIDENT FROM: RESIDENT TO: PREVIOUS ADDRESS (INCLUDING POST CODE): RESIDENT FROM: RESIDENT TO: PREVIOUS ADDRESS (INCLUDING POST CODE): RESIDENT FROM: RESIDENT TO: PREVIOUS ADDRESS (INCLUDING POST CODE).

7 RESIDENT FROM: RESIDENT TO: Signed Name Date Issue 2 June 2006 Do you have the right to take up employment in the UK? Have you ever had civil proceedings (county court judgments) taken against you by creditors? If yes, please provide details. If yes, is the order(s) satisfied or has a repayment plan been agreed? Please note that you maybe requested evidence of this. Have you ever been declared bankrupt either in UK or elsewhere, or are you aware of any such action pending? If yes, please provide details. National Insurance No. Date & Place of Birth Mother s Maiden Name Previous Surname (If any) Signed Name Date