Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
16 January 2004

To: RNS

Disclosure of Interest in Voting Shares of Reed Elsevier PLC

I am writing to inform you that we received today a notification dated 15
January 2004, in accordance with Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended),
that the interest of The Capital Group Companies, Inc and its affiliates, in the
ordinary shares of Reed Elsevier PLC is 53,839,249 shares, representing 4.24% of
the Company's current issued share capital.

From: L Dixon
      Deputy Secretary
      Reed Elsevier PLC

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