Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
9 January 2003


LETTER TO: RNS


                   Disclosure of Interest in Voting Shares

I am writing to inform you that we have today received a notification dated 7
January 2003, in accordance with Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended),
that the interest of FMR Corp, and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and
Fidelity International Limited (FIL) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries in
the ordinary shares of Reed Elsevier PLC is now 38,838,324 shares, representing
3.06% of the Company's current issued share capital.
 

LETTER FROM: L DIXON
             DEPUTY SECRETARY
             REED ELSEVIER PLC 



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