Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
07 October 2005


                     ISSUED ON BEHALF OF REED ELSEVIER PLC


          Disclosure of Interest in Voting Shares of Reed Elsevier PLC


Reed Elsevier PLC received today a notification dated 4 October 2005, 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 (FIL) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, in the
ordinary shares of Reed Elsevier PLC is 38,840,237 shares, representing 3.04% of
the Company's current issued share capital



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