Libraries Parliamentary Papers

National Papers

Most national papers are now available free online.

Public Acts of Parliament

An Act of Parliament creates a new law or changes an existing law. An Act is a Bill approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and formally agreed to by the reigning monarch (known as Royal Assent). Once implemented, an Act is law and applies to the UK as a whole or to specific areas of the country.

Bills

A Bill becomes an Act when it is approved by both Houses and is formally agreed. For 1497 to 1849, before printing, the same vellum document was used for bills. For bills in this period, consult the relevant Act.

Parliamentary debates

House of Commons Journals

The House of Commons Journal is the corrected, archive edition of Votes and Proceedings, the formal record of House of Commons business for a given day.

House of Commons Papers

These are papers which result from the work of the House and its Committees or are otherwise necessary for its work. They include select committee papers, minutes of proceedings of public bill committees, estimates and appropriation accounts and other categories.

House of Lords Papers

These are papers which result from the work of the House and its Committees or are otherwise necessary for its work.

House of Lords Journals

The House of Lords Journal is the corrected, archive edition of Minutes of Proceedings, the formal record of House of Lords business for a given day.

Statutory Instruments

Statutory Instruments are a form of legislation which allow the provisions of an Act of Parliament to be subsequently brought into force or altered without Parliament having to pass a new Act.

Public Information Online

The Public Information Online database includes:

  • House of Commons Papers - House of Commons Papers 2006 onwards
  • House of Commons Bills - House of Commons Bills 2006 onwards
  • House of Commons Explanatory Notes - House of Commons Explanatory Notes 2006 onwards
  • House of Lords Papers - House of Lords Papers 1983 onwards
  • House of Lords Bills and Amendments - House of Lords Bills and Amendments 2006 onwards
  • House of Lords Explanatory Notes - House of Lords Explanatory Notes 2006 onwards
  • Command Papers - Command Papers 2006 onwards
  • Public Bill and General Committee Debates - Public Bill and General Committee Debates 2006 onwards
  • Public General Acts - Public General Acts 1988 onwards
  • Act Explanatory Notes - Act Explanatory Notes 1999 onwards
  • HOC Daily Hansards - HOC Daily Hansards 2008 onwards
  • HOL Daily Hansards - HOL Daily Hansards 2008 onwards
  • HOC Weekly Information Bulletins CEASED - HOC Weekly Information Bulletins CEASED 2008 onwards
  • Votes and Proceedings - Votes and Proceedings 2009 onwards
  • Local Acts - Local Acts 1991 onwards
  • Church Measures - Church Measures 1988 onwards
  • Unnumbered Act Papers - Unnumbered Act Papers 2014 onwards
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