Purchase of Own Securities

BRITISH ASSETS TRUST PLC
20 July 1999


REPURCHASE OF GROWTH SHARES

On 20 July 1999 British Assets Trust plc bought 100,000 of its own growth
shares for cancellation at a price of 135.50p each.  There are 60,490,000
growth shares in issue following this repurchase.


Gordon J Humphries
Secretary

Enquiries:  0131 465 1000