The Bank of England said it had providedthe money market with 728 mln stg assistance in response to an
early round of bill offers from the discount houses.
    Earlier, the Bank had estimated the shortage in the system
today at 950 mln stg.
    The central bank purchased 625 mln stg of bills for resale
to the market on April 7 at rates of interest between 9-15/16
pct and 10 pct.
    It also bought 103 mln stg bank bills outright comprising
65 mln stg in band one at 9-7/8 pct and 38 mln stg in band two
at 9-13/16 pct.
 REUTER
