2005 Final Dividend Payment

Reed Elsevier PLC
26 January 2006


                                   News Release

          Issued on behalf of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV

                                                                 26 January 2006

               
              REED ELSEVIER 2005 FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT TIMETABLE


The payment timetable for Reed Elsevier 2005 final dividends will be as follows:

                               REED ELSEVIER PLC

                                  Reed Elsevier PLC                Reed Elsevier PLC ADRs
                                  Ordinary shares

Proposal announced                16 February 2006                 16 February 2006
Declaration (at AGM*)             18 April 2006                    18 April 2006
Ex-dividend date                  19 April 2006                    19 April 2006
Record date                       21 April 2006                    21 April 2006
Payment date                      12 May 2006                      19 May 2006

                               REED ELSEVIER NV

                                  Reed Elsevier NV                 Reed Elsevier NV ADRs
                                  Ordinary shares

Proposal announced                16 February 2006                 16 February 2006
Declaration (at AGM*)             19 April 2006                    19 April 2006
Ex-dividend date                  24 April 2006                    24 April 2006
Record date                       21 April 2006                    26 April 2006
Payment date                      12 May 2006                      19 May 2006


*The Annual General Meetings of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV will be
held on Tuesday 18th April and Wednesday 19th April in London and Amsterdam
respectively.

                                    - ends -

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