Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
26 January 2006


                     ISSUED ON BEHALF OF REED ELSEVIER PLC

          Disclosure of Interest in Voting Shares of Reed Elsevier PLC

Reed Elsevier PLC received on 26 January 2006 a notification dated 25 January
2006, in accordance with Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended), that
the interest of FMR Corp. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and Fidelity
International Limited and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, in the ordinary
shares of Reed Elsevier PLC is 64,112,269 shares, representing 5.02% of the
Company's current issued share capital.


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