Holding in Company

Reed International PLC
10 January 2001



LETTER TO: COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OFFICE


                   Disclosure of Interest in Voting Shares

I am writing to inform you that we have received a notification dated 9 January
2001, in accordance with Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended), that
the interest of Prudential plc and certain of its subsidiary companies in the
ordinary shares of 12.5p each in Reed International P.L.C. is now as shown
below:

63,010,273 shares, representing 4.99% of the Company's current issued share
capital.


LETTER FROM: REED INTERNATIONAL