Purchase of Own Securities

BRITISH ASSETS TRUST PLC
22 September 1999


REPURCHASE OF ORDINARY SHARES

On 22 September 1999 British Assets Trust plc bought 1,885,000 of its own
ordinary shares for cancellation at a price of 130.25p each.  There are now
318,550,000 ordinary shares in issue following this repurchase.



Gordon J Humphries
Secretary


Enquiries:  0131 465 1000