FORM 6-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                            Report of Foreign Issuer


                      Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                October 20, 2004


                               BRITISH ENERGY PLC
                               (Registrant's name)


                               3 Redwood Crescent
                                    Peel Park
                              East Kilbride G74 5PR
                                    Scotland
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual 
reports under cover 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): 



                                 Exhibit Index

The following document (bearing the exhibit number listed below) is furnished
herewith and is made a part of this Report pursuant to the General Instructions
for Form 6-K:

Exhibit       Description

No. 1         RNS Announcement, re: Section 198 Notice dated 20 October 2004



20 October 2004


                               British Energy plc

 UK COMPANIES ACT 1985 - SECTIONS 198-202 - British Energy plc (the "Company")


In accordance with Section 198-202 of the UK Companies Act 1985, the Company has
received  notification from Deutsche Bank AG that on the basis that the relevant
issued share capital of the Company is  620,362,444  ordinary  shares,  Deutsche
Bank AG and its subsidiary  companies  have a notifiable  interest in 45,392,928
ordinary shares of British Energy plc,  amounting to 7.32%. Part of this holding
may relate to hedging arrangements for customer transactions.


                                   SIGNATURES

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


Date:  October 20, 2004                    BRITISH ENERGY PLC

                                           By:____John Searles____

                                           Name:  John Searles
                                           Title: Director - Investor Relations