Holding(s) in Company

Reed Elsevier PLC
21 November 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 18 November 2005, in
accordance with Part VI of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended), that the
interest of FMR Corp. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and Fidelity
International Limited and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, in the ordinary
shares of Reed Elsevier PLC is 51,383,946 shares, representing 4.02% of the
Company's current issued share capital




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