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Arts & Humanities Library
Most of the Parliamentary Papers in the Library are in either the Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno, or the Library Annexes.
The term Parliamentary Papers typically refers to the following types of British government documents:
The Web page of the U.K. Parliament provides an overview of the workings of Parliament, and includes full-text of recent documents. For additional background reading on the history and types of documents produced by Parliament consult the following guides:
Ford, Percy. A Guide to Parliamentary Papers. 1972 (find in the CAT)
Z2009.A1.F6 1972, Social Sciences Reference Collection, 2nd Floor Paterno
Pemberton, John E. British Official Publications. 1973 (find in the CAT)
Z2009.P45, Social Sciences Reference Collection, 2nd Floor Paterno
Debates are the records of parliamentary speeches. Until the early 20th Century the published debates were unofficial and often based on secondary reports such as newspaper articles. Beginning in 1909 the House of Commons and Lords Debates were separated. Prior to 1909 the two houses of Parliament jointly published their debates.
Locating Parliamentary Debates:
After 1908 the Debates of the House of Commons and Lords are published separately under the title Parliamentary Debates:
JOURNALS
Journals are the official and permanent record of the proceedings of Parliament. They include motions passed, amended, withdrawn, committee memberships, and lists of papers laid before each House. A journal usually covers one complete Parliamentary session. The Journals report on the activities of Parliament, they are not a record of what was said. The Journals do not typically include the text of debates or speeches.
House of Commons
House of Lords
The House of Lords Journals are not held at the University Park campus. The State library in Harrisburg has a set of the Journals
(1996-) House of Lords Home Page
The bound volumes of Parliament documents commonly known as the "Sessional Papers" include bills, reports from committees, State Papers (e.g. Treaties), papers presented by Royal Commissions or by Government departments ("Command Papers"), and statements of Governmental policy ("White Papers").
(1731-1979) Call #Microprint.G798s, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno
(1801-1900) Irish University Press Reprint Series (find in the CAT)
Call #J301.J2 1968. A massive series containing reprints of selected 19th Century Parliamentary Documents. Volumes are in the Cato Park Annex and can be requested via The CAT or at the nearest service desk
(1948-1975) Call #J301.K6, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno (paper volumes)
(1979-???) Call #Micro 4, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno (CAT shows only up to 1984, but also indicates a current subscription)
Hansard's Catalogue and Breviate of Parliamentary Papers, 1699-1834 (find in the CAT), Call #J301.K62, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno. Reference Collection
Subject Catalogue of the House of Commons Parliamentary Papers, 1801-1900 (find in the CAT), Call #Z2019 C63 1988, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno. Reference Collection
General index to the Bills, Reports and Papers...House of Commons...1900-1949 (find in the CAT), Call #J301.K625 Index, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno. Reference Collection
Irish University Press series of British parliamentary papers (selected coverage 1801-1900) (find in the CAT), Call #J301.J2 1968, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno. Reference Collection
The Readex index to British parliamentary papers (find in the CAT)
Call #J301.M7 CD-ROM, Paterno - 2nd Floor - Electronic Resources
The library has only selected years of the House of Lords Sessional Papers as indicated below.
(1948-1972/3) (Incomplete holdings).
Call #J301.J6, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno
(1996-) House of Lords (selected documents)
Dod's Parliamentary Companion
Call # JN500.D7. Library has 1957-1959, 1966-1995. Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno. Latest in Social Sciences Reference Collection. Years prior to 1957 can be obtained via Interlibrary Loan
Members of Parliament, 1734-1832
Call # JN672.J8, Social Sciences Reference, 2nd Floor Paterno
Who Was Who (Great Britian)
Call #DA28.W65, Arts and Humanities Reference, 2nd Floor Pattee
Who's Who of British Members of Parliament: A biographical Dictionary of the House of Commons based on Annual Volumes of Dod's Parliamentary Companion and Other Sources. Call # JN672.W47 1976, Social Sciences Reference, 2nd Floor Paterno. 4 volumes cover 1832-1979
The History of Parliament Trust has published a series of volumes on the House of Commons. Additional volumes are in progress.
The House of Commons, 1386-1421 (find in the CAT)
Call # JN673.R593, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno
The House of Commons, 1509-1558 (find in the CAT)
Call # JN675.1509, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno
The House of Commons, 1558-1603 (find in the CAT)
Call # JN675.1558.H37, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno
The House of Commons, 1660-1690 (find in the CAT)
Call # JN675.1660.H4, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno
The House of Commons, 1715-1754 (find in the CAT)
Call # JN675.1715.S4, Social Sciences Reference, 2nd Floor Paterno
The House of Commons, 1754-1790 (find in the CAT)
Call # JN672.N2, Social Sciences Reference, 2nd Floor Paterno
The House of Commons, 1790-1820 (find in the CAT)
Call # JN675.1790.T48 1986, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno
The collections below contain reproductions of selected British official documents.
Calendar of State Papers. Call number varies, search The CAT. Contains descriptions and summaries of royal documents preserved in the Public Records Office.
Eighteenth Century Collection Online Full texts and images of nearly 150,000 titles and editions printed in the British Isles and the Americas between 1701 and 1800, including materials in foreign languages as well as in English
Proceedings and Debates of the British Parliaments Respecting North America
1542-1754, Call # 973.2G79p, Annexed Material
1754-1783, Call # E187.G79 1982, Pattee Stacks Level 1
Statutes at Large From Magna Carta to the end of the 11th Parliament of Great Britain, Anno 1761 (continued to 1806), Call # MICRO 4 GBSL, News and Microforms Library, Ground Floor, West Pattee
Statutes of the Realm
Call # KD.G798, Business Library, 3rd Floor Paterno
General Guides
Ford, Percy. A Guide to Parliamentary Papers
Call # Z2009.A1F6 1972, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno, Reference Collection
Pemberton, John E. British Official Publications 1973
Call # Z2009.P45, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno, Reference Collection
Rodgers, Frank. A Guide to British Government Publications 1980
Call # Z2009.R63, Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno. Reference Collection
