Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
30 December 2002


LETTER TO: RNS


                     Disclosure of Interest in Voting Shares

I am writing to inform you that we have today received a notification dated 23
December 2002, in accordance with Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as
amended), that the interest of Prudential plc in the ordinary shares of Reed
Elsevier PLC is now 44,799,836 shares, representing 3.53% of the Company's
current issued share capital, of which holding 40,384,751 shares (3.18%) are
held by its subsidiary company, The Prudential Assurance Company Limited.


LETTER FROM: L DIXON
             DEPUTY SECRETARY
             REED ELSEVIER PLC



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