Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
04 January 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 22 December 2004, in
accordance with Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended), that the
interest of Legal & General Group plc and/or its subsidiaries in the ordinary
shares of Reed Elsevier PLC is 50,962,997 shares, representing 4.00% of the
Company's current issued share capital.



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