Barclays Offer for Woolwich

Barclays PLC
2 October 2000


               BARCLAYS WELCOMES DECISION
       TO ALLOW OFFER FOR WOOLWICH PLC TO PROCEED



Barclays PLC welcomes the decision of Stephen Byers,
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in accordance
with the recommendation of the Director General of Fair
Trading, not to refer the recommended offer for
Woolwich plc by Barclays PLC to the Competition
Commission.