UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549


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                                    FORM 6-K

                        REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
                       PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
                   UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                   March 2007

                                Barclays PLC and
                               Barclays Bank PLC
                             (Names of Registrants)

                               1 Churchill Place
                                London E14 5HP
                                    England
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.


                           Form 20-F x     Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


                                  Yes     No x

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):

THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ON FORM F-3 (NOS.333-126811, 333-85646 AND 333-12384)
OF BARCLAYS BANK PLC AND TO BE A PART THEREOF FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THIS REPORT
IS FURNISHED, TO THE EXTENT NOT SUPERSEDED BY DOCUMENTS OR REPORTS SUBSEQUENTLY
FILED OR FURNISHED.

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This Report is a joint Report on Form 6-K filed by Barclays PLC and Barclays
Bank PLC. All of the issued ordinary share capital of Barclays Bank PLC is
owned by Barclays PLC.

This Report comprises:

Information given to The London Stock Exchange and furnished pursuant to
General Instruction B to the General Instructions to Form 6-K.


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                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


Statement re. Press Comment - 20 March 2007




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                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each of
the registrants has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                                     BARCLAYS PLC
                                                     (Registrant)

Date: March 20, 2007                               By:   /s/ Patrick Gonsalves
                                                         ----------------------
                                                         Patrick Gonsalves
                                                         Deputy Secretary

                                                     BARCLAYS BANK PLC
                                                     (Registrant)


Date:  March 20, 2007                              By:   /s/ Patrick Gonsalves
                                                         ----------------------
                                                         Patrick Gonsalves
                                                         Joint Secretary



                                                                 19th March 2007


                                  BARCLAYS PLC


            Barclays Confirms Exploratory Discussions With ABN AMRO

Further to its announcement this morning, Barclays PLC ('Barclays') confirms
that it is in exclusive preliminary discussions with ABN AMRO Holding N.V. ('ABN
AMRO') concerning a potential combination of the two organisations which will
create value for both sets of shareholders. These discussions are the result of
careful consideration to create a highly complementary partnership. The talks
are at an early and exploratory stage and there can be no certainty that they
will lead to a transaction.

A further announcement will be made in due course.


                                    - ENDS -



Contacts at Barclays:


Investor Relations
Mark Merson/James S Johnson
Office: +44 (0)20 7116 5752/2927
Mobile: +44 (0)7770 748 771


Media Relations
Stephen Whitehead/Alistair Smith
Office: +44 (0)20 7116 6060/6132
Mobile: +44 (0)7880 783 532







Future SEC Filings and this Filing: Important Information
In the event that Barclays PLC and ABN AMRO Holding N.V. enter into a
transaction, they may be required to file relevant materials with the SEC. Such
documents, however, are not currently available. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ ANY
DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE,
BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors will be able to
obtain a free copy of such filings without charge, at the SEC's website (http://
www.sec.gov) once such documents are filed with the SEC. Copies of such
documents may also be obtained from Barclays PLC and ABN AMRO Holding N.V.,
without charge, once they are filed with the SEC.

This filing shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an
offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any
jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a
prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended.