Purchase of Own Securities

British Assets Trust PLC
19 January 2000



REPURCHASE OF GROWTH SHARES

On 19 January 2000 British Assets Trust plc bought 250,000 of its own growth
shares for cancellation at a price of 138.50p each.  There are 56,315,296
growth shares in issue following this repurchase.


Gordon J Humphries
Company Secretary


Enquiries:  0131 465 1000