Holding in Company

Reed International PLC
29 August 2001




LETTER TO: COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OFFICE

Disclosure of Interest in Voting Shares

I am writing to inform you that we have received a notification dated 28 August
2001, in accordance with Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended), that
the interest of Prudential plc, in the ordinary shares of Reed International
P.L.C. is now 50,161,183 shares, representing 3.96% of the Company's current
issued share capital, of which holding 47,756,290 shares (3.77%) is held by its
subsidiary company The Prudential Assurance Company Limited.

LETTER FROM: REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C.