Acquisition

RNS Number:3228Z
Thomson Corporation
21 February 2001


( BW)(THOMSON/HARCOURT)(TOC.TO) The Thomson Corporation Acquisition of
Select Harcourt Businesses Delayed

    Business Editors

    TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 2001--As previously announced
today, the UK Minister of State for Competition and Consumer Affairs
has referred Reed Elsevier plc's (LSE:REED, ASE:ESL) proposed
acquisition of Harcourt General (NYSE: H) to the UK Competition
Commission for further review. As a result, The Thomson Corporation
(TSE: TOC) today announced that there will be a delay of its
acquisition of select Harcourt General, Inc. businesses from Reed
Elsevier.

    This review by the UK Competition Commission does not relate to
The Thomson Corporation's proposed acquisition of Harcourt businesses
from Reed Elsevier.

    Thomson expects to complete the acquisition of these select
Harcourt businesses from Reed Elsevier later this year, subject to
completion of Reed Elsevier's acquisition of Harcourt General and
approval by the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice and
other regulatory and customary closing conditions.

    About The Thomson Corporation

    The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 1999 revenues of
US$5.8 billion, is a global e-information and solutions company in the
business and professional marketplace. The company's common shares are
listed on the Toronto and London stock exchanges.

    This news release includes forward-looking statements, which are
based on the Corporation's current expectations and assumptions, and
are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to materially differ from those anticipated. Such risks
and uncertainties include, among others, general business and economic
conditions and competitive actions.

    --30--srd/ny*

    CONTACT: Investor Contact:
             The Thomson Corporation
             John Kechejian, 203/328-9470
             Vice President, Investor Relations
             [e-mail]
                or
             Media Contact:
             The Thomson Corporation
             Jason Stewart, 203/328-8339
             Director, Public Relations
             [e-mail]