Holding in Company

British Empire Sec & Gen Tst PLC
25 June 2001

                  DEALINGS BY SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS


1)   NAME OF COMPANY

BRITISH EMPIRE SECURITIES & GENERAL TRUST PLC

2)   NAME OF SHAREHOLDER HAVING A MAJOR INTEREST

THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY

3)   Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of 
     holding of the shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a 
     non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a
     holding of that person's spouse or children under the age of 18

AS IN 2

4)   Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the 
     number of shares held by each of them.



5)   Number of shares/amount of stock acquired.



6)   (  %) of issued Class

7)   Number of shares/amount of stock disposed

2,000,000

8)   (1.13%) of issued Class

9)   Class of security

ORDINARY SHARES 10P

10)  Date of transaction

21 JUNE 2001

11)  Date company informed

22 JUNE 2001

12)  Total holding following this notification

4,354,565
               
              
13)  Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification

2.47%

14)  Any additional information

THIS SHAREHOLDING WAS PREVIOUSLY DISCLOSED AS PART OF THE HALIFAX GROUP PLC'S
HOLDING

15)  Name of contact and telephone number for queries

KATRINA FYFFE
0131-465-1000

16)  Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for 
     making this notification

MICHAEL CAMPBELL

     Date of Notification           25 JUNE 2001