Purchase of Own Securities

British Empire Sec & Gen Tst PLC
24 August 2001


PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES

On 24 August 2001 British Empire Securities and General Trust p.l.c. bought
250,000 of its own ordinary shares for cancellation at a price of 185.25p
each.  There are 175,305,089 ordinary shares in issue following this purchase.


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