This guide is intended for students/researchers from any discipline studying at the University of Oxford.
Use this guide to find out about print and digital resources for government and parliamentary papers from the United Kingdom and Ireland
The Official Papers extensive print collection situated in the Bodleian Law Library is an incredible primary resource for researchers from all disciplines. The Official Papers collection dates from the 16th century to present day and can boast a Bound Set of parliamentary papers from 1801 to the present day on open shelf.
Collections from the UK Parliament, government, devolved assemblies and the Republic of Ireland are a rich and detailed source of information for the historian covering all aspects of the historical record. Topics include: slavery, child labour, health of the nation, foreign policy, economic policy and law.
For the contemporary researcher the papers are a window to UK society today and how it functions, for example, in terms of economics, law, health, politics, science, medical and foreign policy. The researcher can see how evidence is collected, and policy and legislation developed.
This libguide will give you guidance on how to search for parliamentary and government material. Please note that no academic library has systematically catalogued the parliamentary collections so finding aids need to be used. Staff are always more than happy to help, email official.papers@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
