Statement re Possible Offer

Barclays PLC
04 April 2005



                                                                    4 April 2005

                              A BARCLAYS STATEMENT

In response to statements issued by the South African Government and the South
African bank Absa, Barclays confirms that it participated in a meeting yesterday
with the South African Minister of Finance, the Governor of the South African
Reserve Bank and Absa.

Barclays will now consider the detailed conditions presented to it by the
Minister at yesterday's meeting. No decision regarding regulatory approval will
be made until such time as Absa and Barclays have reverted to the Minister on
these matters.

It should be noted that Barclays has yet to agree an offer with the Absa Board
and with major shareholders.



                                  - ENDS -

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Section
27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to certain of the
Barclays plans and its current goals and expectations relating to the potential
transaction described above. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve
risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances,
including, but not limited to, domestic and global economic and business
conditions, market related risks such as changes in interest rates and exchange
rates, the policies and actions of governmental and regulatory authorities,
changes in legislation and the impact of competition, a number of which are
beyond the Barclays control. As a result, actual future results may differ
materially from the plans, goals and expectations set forth in the
forward-looking statements.




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