Purchase of Own Securities

British Assets Trust PLC
18 February 2000



REPURCHASE OF ORDINARY SHARES

On 17 February 2000 British Assets Trust plc bought 250,000 of its own
ordinary shares for cancellation at a price of 134.00p each.  There are
309,316,212 ordinary shares in issue following this repurchase.


Gordon J Humphries
Company Secretary


Enquiries:  0131 465 1000