Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
01 February 2005









                     ISSUED ON BEHALF OF REED ELSEVIER PLC



          Disclosure of Interest in Voting Shares of Reed Elsevier PLC





Reed Elsevier PLC received today a notification dated 28 January 2005, 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 38,315,148 shares, representing 3.00% of
the Company's current issued share capital.




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