Transaction in Own Shares

Reed Elsevier PLC
24 May 2006

24 May 2006



ISSUED ON BEHALF OF REED ELSEVIER PLC AND REED ELSEVIER NV





                           Transactions in own shares



Reed Elsevier PLC announces that on 24 May 2006 it purchased 400,000 Reed
Elsevier PLC ordinary shares at a price of 509.0784 pence per share.  The
purchased shares will be held as treasury shares. Reed Elsevier PLC currently
holds 18,103,500 Reed Elsevier PLC ordinary shares in treasury, and has
1,263,269,136 Reed Elsevier PLC ordinary shares in issue (excluding treasury
shares).



Reed Elsevier NV announces that on 24 May 2006, it purchased 260,000 Reed
Elsevier NV ordinary shares at a price of €11.1488 per share.  The purchased
shares will be held as treasury shares.  Reed Elsevier NV currently holds
11,771,500 Reed Elsevier NV ordinary shares in treasury, and has 733,184,773
Reed Elsevier NV ordinary shares in issue (excluding treasury shares).






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