Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
23 September 2003

To: RNS

                   Disclosure of Interest in Voting Shares

I am writing to inform you that we received yesterday a notification dated 19
September 2003, in accordance with Section 198 of the Companies Act 1985 (as
amended), that the interest of The Capital Group Companies, Inc., and its
affiliates, including Capital International Inc., Capital International SA.,
Capital International Limited and Capital Guardian Trust Company, in the
ordinary shares of Reed Elsevier PLC is 38,891,327 shares, representing 3.06% of
the Company's current issued share capital.

From: 
L DIXON
Deputy Company Secretary
REED ELSEVIER PLC




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