British Parliamentary Papers

Debates are often referred to as Hansard after the name of the firm which compiled and published them for the greater part of the 19th century. They are now published by The Stationery Office (formerly Her Majesty's Stationery Office or HMSO) and come to the library in bound volumes two or three years after each session. Until 1909 publication of the Debates was unofficial and they were not verbatim records but often based on newspaper accounts.

Indexes are shelved with the Debates. From 1803 to 1829 it is necessary to use a separate index to each volume. Beginning with the third series in 1830/31, there is also an index covering each session, sometimes bound at the end of a volume or sometimes bound separately. Indexing is by speaker and by subject.

A record of what has been said on the floor of Parliament appears in the following:

Parliamentary or Constitutional History of England from the Earliest Times to the Restoration of Charles II. London, 1751-1762. 24 volumes. SCL LSC 328.4209 P252

Often cited as the Old Parliamentary History, these volumes, covering 1066 to 1660, contain material about the contents of debates compiled from the Journals and other sources. Volume 24 is a general index to the other 23 volumes.

The Parliamentary History of England from the Earliest Period to the Year 1803. London, 36 volumes.PL 328.422 C654

Known as Cobbett's, the first 12 volumes were compiled by William Cobbett. T.C. Hansard completed the set.

Great Britain. Parliament. Parliamentary Debates. Perkins/Bostock Stacks J301.H22

Library has 1803 to1908 (with a few gaps) THESE VOLUMES CONTAIN THE DEBATES OF THE HOUSES OF LORDS AND COMMONS.

Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons official Report. Perkins/Bostock Stacks J301.K22

Library has 1909 to date (with a few gaps).

Great Britain. Parliament. House of Lords. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Lords official Report. Perkins/Bostock Stacks J301.K22

Library has 1909 to date. (1803-1908 are bound with the Debates of the House of Commons).Perkins/Bostock Stacks J301.J22

Note: Some of the debates are available in Eighteenth Century Collections Online.

Northern Ireland. Parliament. House of Commons.   Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) House of Commons official report.  Perkins/Bostock Stacks JN1572.A792 P3752 

        Library has 1958-1977.