Government Publications
Classmarks
To locate an item you first need to know the type of report or paper you are seeking. This will help to identify whether the volume you require is located on the open shelves, or whether it must be requested from the onsite closed stack, or the offsite Depository. See: Finding
references to British Government Publications
The Library's holdings of parliamentary material consists mainly of House of Commons sessional papers. Some of the volumes dating from the early-mid 19th Century have been bound by subject, the arrangement of which does not correspond with any of the general indexes. There are some gaps in our holdings of papers from the first half of the 19th century, but the Library has a complete set of the Chadwyck-Healey microfiche edition of 19th century House of Commons sessional papers. This is the only set within the University of London. The Library also now has access to parliamentary papers in full text online for the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
64 Statistics
Some statistical material has been retained on open access (see catalogue records for details and also for links to online full text where available), but most of the 64 Statistics material is now housed at the Depository and may be requested from the Stack Desk (4th Floor).
64 Rapid Ref
Current and recent editions of the more popular titles are held in the Information Centre (4th floor). The volumes are not in alphabetical order, but are thematically grouped, so it is necessary to consult the online catalogue to find where the items are shelved.
Parliamentary Papers
The Subject Volumes sequence comprises volumes of papers arranged alphabetically by subject, such as Education, Police, Slave Trade, Wool, etc. These volumes cover a range of dates from the early 19th Century up to c.1854. It is therefore important to note that the chronological sequence starting in 1812 does not contain all of the titles that the Library holds for this period. These subject volumes are housed offsite at the Depository and may be requested from the Stack Desk (4th Floor).
Parliamentary Papers chronological sequence
This sequence starts at 1812. All but the most recent sessional papers (see below) are housed offsite at the Depository and may be requested from the Stack Desk (4th Floor). Papers are arranged first by year, then within series eg:
Bills
Reports from Committee
Reports from Commissions
Accounts & papers (this series includes Command Papers – note that they are usually arranged alphabetically within the volumes rather than in command paper number order)
From c. 1981 the series become:
Command Papers
Public Bills
House of Commons Papers
Recent Sessional papers are housed onsite in the closed-access stack and should be requested from the Stack Desk (4th Floor):
House of Commons Bills 1994/95-
House of Commons Papers 1994/95-
Command Papers 1994/95-
House of Lords Bills 2001/02-
House of Lords Papers 2001/02-
Acts of Parliament 2002-
Unbound Parliamentary Debates 2001-
Parliamentary Debates (also known as Hansard)
Our collection starts in 1803, and is shelved by year. From 1908 the Commons and Lords are separated. Our holdings are shared with those of the Institute of Historical Research Library. Please ask at the Information Centre (4th Floor) if you wish to consult these volumes.
Other Series
Housed onsite in the closed-access stack – may be requested from the Stack Desk (4th Floor):
Journals of the House of Lords
Journals of the House of Commons
Housed offsite at the Depository – may be requested from the Stack Desk (4th Floor):
House of Commons Standing Committee Debates
Index to Government Orders
Local Acts
Local and Personal Acts
Lords and Commons Standing Orders
Public General Statutes
Public General Acts [and Measures]
Statutes at Large
Statutory Rules and Orders
Statutory Rules and Orders and Statutory Instruments Revised
Statutory Instruments 1949 onwards
Votes and Proceedings sequence
Non Parliamentary Publications
These comprise selected reports from 1976 onwards, produced by various government departments (eg, DHSS, DoE, DTI). These are currently housed offsite at the Depository and are in the process of being catalogued.
Microfilms
The library has a complete set of the Chadwyck- Healey microfiche edition of 19th century House of Commons sessional papers. Users wishing to use this resource will need to ask at the Information Centre (4th Floor).
The Subject Catalogue of the House of Commons Parliamentary Papers 1801-1990/ compiled by Peter Cockton. - Chadwyck Healey, 1987-88. - 0859641333 (64 Rapid Ref) act as a guide to the microfilm.
