Purchase of Own Securities

British Assets Trust PLC
18 February 2000




REPURCHASE OF GROWTH SHARES

On 17 February 2000 British Assets Trust plc bought 2,298,570 of its own
growth shares for cancellation at a price of 126.00p each.  There are
53,966,726 growth shares in issue following this repurchase.



Gordon J Humphries
Company Secretary


Enquiries:  0131 465 1000