On this page:
House of Commons papers
- House of Commons papers from 1688-2015 are available via the UK Parliamentary Papers database (available to University of Hull students and staff; also to associate members and day visitors on Library premises only).
- Recent papers from May 2010 onwards relating to the work of select and other committees are available online via the Committees section of the UK Parliament website (each committee has its own list of publications).
- Selected papers from 1995 to date are available via the Official documents section of GOV.UK - enter HC in the Search box and filter the Topic by Act papers only.
Command papers
Command Papers include reports of royal commissions, statements of government policy, discussion documents and treaties. Amongst them will be found the documents known as white papers, green papers, and blue books. Further information is available on the About Command papers page of the UK Parliament website.
Command Papers are numbered from 1-9999 in various series identified by abbreviations. Each abbreviation/number combination is unique. It is important to use the correct abbreviation and helpful to quote the session.
| Abbreviation | Period covered | Example |
|---|---|---|
| [none] | 1833-1869 | 1703 [1854] |
| C. | 1870-1899 | C. 3435 [1882] |
| Cd. | 1900-1918 | Cd. 284 [1900] |
| Cmd. | 1919-1956 | Cmd. 4917 [1934-35] |
| Cmnd. | 1956-1986/87 | Cmnd. 3406 [1966-67] |
| Cm. | 1986/87-2018 | Cm. 8508 [2012-13] |
| CP | 2019 to date | CP 761 [2022-23] |
Command Papers are available online from these sources:
- May 2005 to date (and selected earlier papers) are available via the Official documents page on GOV.UK - use the Topic filter to select Command papers.
- 1833-2015 are available via the UK Parliamentary papers database.
NB This resource is available to University of Hull students and staff; also to associate members and day visitors on Library premises only.
The University Library also holds copies on microfiche for 1833 to 1921 and 1984-85 to 2006-07.
Introduction
Parliamentary (or 'sessional') papers include those produced by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. As the working documents of government, they encompass all areas of social, political, economic and foreign policy, showing how issues have been explored and legislation has been formed. They fall into three main categories: House of Commons papers, House of Lords papers, and Command papers.
Almost all recent papers are available online (together with virtually all House of Commons papers); some are also held in the Brynmor Jones Library in microform.
House of Lords papers
The University Library does not provide access to a complete set of House of Lords papers - here is what is available:
May 2010 onwards: papers relating to the work of Lords select committees are available on the UK Parliament website - find them either by the name of the committee or by parliamentary session. Some publications back to May 2005 are also available, but only via the name of the committee. It is also possible to access a complete listing of House of Lords papers, by session, from May 2005 to December 2015.
1986-87 to 2006-07: House of Lords sessional papers on microfiche
1900 to 1985-86: House of Lords bills and papers in printed form (incomplete set)
1806-1859: House of Lords sessional papers on microfilm
1714-1805: House of Lords papers available online via the UK Parliamentary Papers database (available to University of Hull students and staff; also to associate members and day visitors on Library premises only).
