Skip to Main Content

Official Papers for Criminology & Socio-Legal Studies: 18th-20th Century Material

Parliamentary Papers/Proceedings 1800-

Image shows bound nineteenth century parliamentary papers on shelf

This really is an incredible set of primary source material. Within this vast set, over 25,000 volumes there is an absolute wealth of information on the history and development of education in Great Britain. There are reports from commissioners, statistics, white papers and proposals for bills 

The Official Papers has a full set of both Lords and Commons Parliamentary papers, 1801 to the present day on open shelf situated on the ground floor of the Bodleian Law Library

The House of Commons papers are available in full text at the U.K Parliamentary Papers database  from 1801-2003/2004.

 House of Lords papers are available on the U.K. Parliamentary Papers database only when they are published as a joint committee with the a Commons committee

Tips on how to use the UK Parliamentary Papers database

Please email: official.papers@bodleian.ox.ac.uk if assistance is required. 

Parliamentary papers/proceedings pre-1800

Hansard

Image shows bound House of Commons Hansard on a shelf

Hansard since 1909 is the true vertabtim report of debates/speeches in Parliament. There are two distinct sets, the Common and Lords debates. Until Hansard debates were not recorded in a formal way. Individual accounts exist but no formal debates were printed.

Since 1909 — and for important votes before then — Hansard has listed how members have voted in divisions.

For advice on column numbering, series and citation see the 'Official Report (Hansard) Factsheet'