Director Shareholding

Reed International PLC
22 February 2002


Letter to Company Announcements Office

                            Director Shareholding 

We are writing to advise you that we have today received notification of the 
following transactions in the ordinary shares of Reed International P.L.C. and 
Elsevier NV:

1.   CHL Davis, a director of Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV. 
     purchased on 21 February 2002. 41,500 Reed International P.L.C. ordinary 
     shares at 594.0152p per share and 29,600 Elsevier NV ordinary shares at 
     €13.8086 per share.

     As a consequence of the above transactions, Mr Davis now holds an interest 
     in 115,571 Reed International P.L.C. ordinary shares and 81,553 Elsevier NV 
     ordinary shares.

2.   GJA van de Aast, a director of Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV, 
     purchased today, 5,000 Elsevier NV ordinary shares at €13.878 per share.

     As a consequence of the above transaction, Mr van de Aast now holds an 
     interest in 12,500 Elsevier NV ordinary shares.


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