Holding in Company

British Empire Sec & Gen Tst PLC
11 May 2001



                  DEALINGS BY SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS


1)   NAME OF COMPANY

BRITISH EMPIRE SECURITIES & GENERAL TRUST PLC

2)   NAME OF SHAREHOLDER HAVING A MAJOR INTEREST

HALIFAX GROUP PLC

3)   Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of 
     holding of the Shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a 
     non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a
     holding of that person's spouse or children under the age of 18

AS IN 2

4)   Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the 
     number of shares held by each of them.

THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY                    13,104,565
HSBC GLOBAL CUSTODY NOMINEES (A/C 746)(UK) LTD              28,002
BANK OF NEW YORK NOMINEES LTD                                4,767
HSBC GLOBAL CUSTODY NOMINEES A/C(UK) LTD                 4,264,250
CMI UK TRACKING FUND                                        10,400

5)   Number of shares/amount of stock acquired.



6)   ( N/A %) of issued Class

7)   Number of shares/amount of stock disposed

1,250,000

8)   (0.71 %) of issued Class

9)   Class of security

ORDINARY

10)  Date of transaction

30 APRIL 2001

11)  Date company informed

10 MAY 2001

12)  Total holding following this notification

17,411,984
               
              
13)  Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification

9.88%

14)  Any additional information



15)  Name of contact and telephone number for queries

KATRINA FYFFE
FRIENDS IVORY & SIME PLC
0131 465 1000

16)  Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for 
     making this notification     MICHAEL CAMPBELL  

     Date of Notification ....11 MAY 2001