Purchase of Societe Gen. Shrs

CGU PLC
31 August 1999

Not for release, publication or distribution in or into the United States of
                     America, Canada, Japan or Australia
                                      
                                 CGU PLC  
                                                                         
                    Purchases of Societe Generale shares
                                      
CGU  and  the  Commission  des  Operations de  Bourse  ('COB')  have  reached
agreement  in  relation to the outstanding proceedings arising out  of  CGU's
purchase of Societe Generale shares on 29 July 1999.

The  COB  and CGU have agreed not to continue with the proceedings.  CGU  and
the  COB  have  also  agreed  an arrangement under  which  3,620,101  Societe
Generale shares purchased by CGU on 29 July 1999 will remain in escrow  until
29  November  1999.   The voting rights attached to the shares  will  not  be
exercised  while  the  shares  are held in  escrow.   However,  CGU  will  be
authorised to sell the shares to unconnected third parties at any time  after
29 September 1999.


Enquiries:

Philip Twyman, Group Executive Director                  Tel: [phone]