Commons and Lords

This list is by no means exhaustive but aims to outline the most important series of House of Lords and House of Commons records we hold.

Acts of Parliament

These are the original authoritative set of Acts of Parliament from 1497. The acts were handwritten and stored in roll form until 1849. From 1850 the acts are printed on parchment and in a book format. You can view the printed copy of these acts by making an appointment to visit our search room. Alternatively, you can view copies of some acts from the thirteenth century onward online by accessing free and subscription services. For more information, see our Legislation page. We are also working to digitise the acts held in the Archives. You can find a link to the images on our Records Online page.

Committee Papers (Commons and Lords)

Alongside general committee administrative records we hold committee ‘Memoranda’ which are reported to the House but not printed. These Memoranda are listed in the front of the committee’s report and are evidence presented to a committee but not printed with other evidence, to save on printing costs.  Evidence submitted to committee inquiries is no longer printed at all, but is published on the committee web pages alongside the inquiry report.

Hansard (also known as Parliamentary Debates or the Official Report)

Hansard are transcripts of speeches and questions in Parliament, dating from 1803, although they were not ‘official’ until 1909. You can view the printed copy of Hansard by making an appointment to visit our search room. Other Parliamentary departments have also made copies of Hansard available online.

Journals

These are the original manuscript Journals, or daily minute, of the proceedings of the House of Lords and House of Commons, dating from 1510 (Lords) and 1547 (Commons). You can view the printed copy of the Journals by making an appointment to visit our search room. Alternatively, you can view copies of some Journals online by accessing free and subscription services. For more information, see our Proceedings and Journals page.

Judicial records

These are appeal cases and other records of the House of Lords acting in its judicial capacity, dating from 1621. You can view these records by making an appointment to visit our search room. Alternatively, you can view copies of some judicial records online by accessing free and subscription services. For more information, see our Judgments and Appeals page.

Peerage claim records

These include minutes of proceedings of the Committee for Privileges, printed cases, petitions and evidence submitted regarding the claim, dating from 1604. You can view these records by making an appointment to visit our search room.

Plans of canals, roads, railways and other public works

We hold many thousands of plans deposited in connection with private bills from 1794. Often other associated papers are also preserved, including books of reference, lists of owners and occupiers, and estimates of expenses. You can view these records by making an appointment to visit our search room.

Sessional papers (printed)

These are papers laid before Parliament and printed (also known as Parliamentary Papers or ‘Blue Books’). These include bills, Parliamentary Committee reports and proceedings, and non-Parliamentary papers printed ‘by Command’ (Command Papers). You can view these records by making an appointment to visit our search room. Alternatively, you can view copies of some sessional papers online by accessing free and subscription services. For more information, see our Parliamentary papers pages.

Sessional papers (unprinted)

These are papers laid before Parliament and not printed (also known as Main Papers or Laid Papers). These survive from 1531 (Lords) and 1850 (Commons). The papers are very varied and include the Protestation Returns of 1642 and some petitions. You can view these records by making an appointment to visit our search room.

You can find more information about the collections by browsing our online catalogue, or by visiting our online resources pages.