Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
5 March 2004

Letter to RNS

        Disclosure of Interest in Voting shares of Reed Elsevier PLC

I am writing to inform you that we received yesterday a notification dated 3
March 2004. 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 Reed Elsevier PLC is now 38,301,814 shares, representing
3.01% of the Company's current issued share capital, of which holding 38,300,384
shares, representing 3.01% are held by its subsidiary company, The Prudential
Assurance Company Limited.

From Reed Elsevier PLC


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange