Purchase of Own Securities

British Empire Sec & Gen Tst PLC
17 November 1999


PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES

On 17 November 1999 British Empire Securities and General Trust p.l.c. bought
500,000 of its own ordinary shares for cancellation at a price of 139.00p
each.  There are 186,555,089 ordinary shares in issue following this purchase.



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