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Interest cover is calculated as the number of times adjusted operating profit is greater than the net interest expense. 

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The tax charge for the year as a proportion of profit before tax was increased due to non tax-deductible amortisation and reduced by exceptional tax credits arising on prior year disposals. 

A reconciliation of the notional current tax charge based on average standard rates of tax (weighted in proportion to accounting profits) to the actual current tax charge is set out below: 

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Dividends comprise a total dividend for Reed Elsevier PLC of 12.0p (2002: 11.2p) per ordinary share and a total dividend for Reed Elsevier NV of € 0.30 (2002: € 0.30) per ordinary share. 

Dividends paid to Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV shareholders are equalised at the gross level inclusive of the UK tax credit of 10% received by certain Reed Elsevier PLC shareholders. 

