Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
18 January 2005


                     ISSUED ON BEHALF OF REED ELSEVIER PLC

          Disclosure of Interest in Voting Shares of Reed Elsevier PLC


Reed Elsevier PLC received yesterday a notification dated 17 January 2005, in
accordance with Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended), that Prudential
plc and all of its subsidiary companies no longer have a notifiable interest in
the Company's current issued share capital.


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