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

                                  April, 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):


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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


Exclusivity period Extended - 17 April, 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: April 17, 2007                           By:   /s/ Patrick Gonsalves
                                                         ----------------------
                                                         Patrick Gonsalves
                                                         Deputy Secretary

                                                     BARCLAYS BANK PLC
                                                     (Registrant)


Date: April 17, 2007                               By:   /s/ Patrick Gonsalves
                                                         ----------------------
                                                         Patrick Gonsalves
                                                         Joint Secretary



                                                                 17th April 2007

                     BARCLAYS PLC AND ABN AMRO HOLDING N.V.

                    ANNOUNCE EXTENSION OF EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD


Barclays PLC ("Barclays") and ABN AMRO Holding N.V. ("ABN AMRO") announced today
that they have extended the exclusivity period to the end of Friday 20th April
2007. Barclays and ABN AMRO are in talks regarding a potential combination of
the two organisations that would create value for both sets of shareholders.

The discussions, which seek to incorporate the broad objectives set out on 20th
March 2007, are progressing, but there can be no certainty that they will lead
to a transaction or the form it will take.

                                    - ENDS -

For further information please contact:

Media Relations

Stephen Whitehead/Alistair Smith
Office: +44 (0)20 7116 6060/6132
Mobile: +44 (0)7775 547576


Investor Relations
James S Johnson
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7116 2927

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.