Purchase of Own Securities

British Empire Sec & Gen Tst PLC
6 March 2000



PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES

On 6 March 2000 British Empire Securities and General Trust p.l.c. bought
2,000,000 of its own ordinary shares for cancellation at a price of 158.00p
each.  There are 180,285,089 ordinary shares in issue following this purchase.



Enquiries:    John Walton, Ivory & Sime Asset Management Limited
              Tel: [phone]