Director Shareholding

Reed International PLC
27 February 2001

TO:  COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OFFICE

          ISSUED ON BEHALF OF REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. AND ELSEVIER NV

We are writing to advise you that we have today received notification of the
following transactions in the ordinary shares of Reed International P.L.C. and
Elsevier NV:

1.  C H L Davis, a director of Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV,       
    purchased today 29,293 Reed International P.L.C. ordinary shares at 676.984p
    per share and 20,854 Elsevier NV ordinary shares at EUR 15.095 per share.

    Following this purchase, Mr Davis now holds 74,071 ordinary shares in Reed  
    International P.L.C. and 51,953 ordinary shares in Elsevier NV.

2.  A Prozes, a director of Reed International P.L.C., purchased 3,040 American 
    Depositary Shares in Reed International P.L.C. at US$39.3503 per ADS on 23  
    February 2001 and 2,750 American Depositary Shares in Reed International    
    P.L.C. at US$38.6496 per ADS on 26 February 2001.

    In addition, Mr Prozes purchased 3,625 American Depositary Shares in        
    Elsevier NV at US$26.8845 on 23 February 2001.

    Each Reed International ADS represents four Reed International ordinary     
    shares and each Elsevier ADS represents two Elsevier ordinary shares. As a  
    consequence, Mr Prozes holds an interest in 23,160 Reed International       
    ordinary shares and 7,250 Elsevier ordinary shares.



          ISSUED ON BEHALF OF REED INTERNATIONAL P.L.C. AND ELSEVIER NV

We are writing to advise you that we received notification yesterday of the
following transactions in Reed International P.L.C. and Elsevier NV ordinary
shares.

The following grants have been made to directors of Reed International P.L.C.
and Elsevier NV, under the Reed Elsevier plc Executive Share Option Scheme:

Date of     Director         No. of Reed      No. of Elsevier       Exercisable
Grant                        International    shares over     
                             shares over      which an option 
                             which an         has been granted
                             option has       at EUR 14.75 per
                             been granted     share
                             at 659p per
                             share      

23.2.2001   C H L Davis      122,914          87,601                 2004-2011
23.2.2001   M H Armour        62,974          44,882                 2004-2011
23.2.2001   D J Haank         51,110          36,426                 2004-2011

The following grants have made to directors of Reed International P.L.C., under
the terms of the Reed Elsevier plc Executive Share Option Scheme:

Date of     Director         No. of Reed      No. of Elsevier       Exercisable
Grant                        International    shares over     
                             shares over      which an option 
                             which an         has been granted
                             option has       at EUR 14.75 per
                             been granted     share
                             at 659p per      
                             share

23.2.2001   A Prozes          83,785           59,714               2004-2011
23.2.2001   G J A van de      49,317           35,148               2004-2011
            Aast

Exercise of the above options is subject to the earnings per share performance
conditions, as described in the company's Annual Financial Statements.

FROM:  L DIXON
       FOR AND ON BEHALF OF REED ELSEVIER PLC