Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
17 June 2002


Letter to RNS

                    Disclosure of Interest in Voting Shares

I am writing to inform you that we have received today a notification dated 14
June 2002, in accordance with Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended),
that the interest of Barclays PLC, and its subsidiary companies, in the ordinary
shares of Reed Elsevier PLC is 39,600,622 shares, representing 3.12% of the
Company's current issued share capital.

From S Cowden, Company Secretary, Reed Elsevier PLC



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