Director Shareholding

Reed International PLC
Elsevier NV
22 May 2001


Letter to: Company Announcements Office

We are writing to advise you that we have today received notification that G J A
van de Aast, a director of Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV, purchased
3,000 Elsevier NV ordinary shares at EUR 15.00 per share on 22 May 2001.

Following this purchase, Mr van de Aast holds 7,500 ordinary shares in Elsevier
NV.

Letter from:  Reed International P.L.C.