What are the Journals of the House of Commons?

The House of Commons Journals are considered to be the only guide to precedents in England. Many historians consider the House of Commons Journals to be very important because they are some of the few historical documents that show the growing power of the House of Commons through the years.

Holdings: 1547 - present.

Where are the Journals at Memorial Library?

The Journals are in the Government Documents Collection, on Stack Level 2M, South Stacks, aisles 6 & 7.

Where Can I Go for More Help?

If you need assistance, please contact the government documents librarian at 262-9852, or ask the librarians at the Reference Desk, in Room 262.  You can also consult the section on Selected Reference Works About the Journals, at the end of the guide.

Using the Journals of the House of Commons

The journals are arranged by volume number, with a volume usually containing several sessions. Each volume is organized by date of session, with sessions running from October to March. Each date follows the same order of business:

Speeches given. Appendix I -- All papers laid on the table for vote. Appendix II -- Reports from Select Committees.

Content is primarily a descriptive narrative of House proceedings. Some speeches, papers and reports are included in full. If the full text is not included, the Journals will have a reference as to where to find the full text.

Individual indexes are located at the back of each volume. Part I is organized by subject headings. Part II is organized by document type (papers, addresses, amendments, bills, and resolutions). Both parts will refer you to a specific page number.

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Using the Indexes of the Journals of the House of Commons

Each index covers an arbitrary set of volumes. The indexes cover and are organized by the following documentation types:

Under each main heading is a subject listing. The subject listing is broken down by year. Next to each individual entry is the page number of the specific volume.

Example:

ADDRESSSES of Congratulations -- on the Eightieth Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen Mother [1979-1980], 754.

To find the address of congratulations to the Queen Mother on her eightieth birthday, you would find the volume that covers session 1979-80 and look up page 754.

Citing the Journals

There is no single standard method of citing the Journals; however, the guide Citing British Parliamentary Publications lists some resources with guidelines on citing the Journals.

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Selected Reference Works About the Journals

•  Druke, Jeanetta, Gretchen Holten and Thomas McFarland. British Parliamentary Papers: a Simplified Guide for the Harried Librarian.  In RQ 32, no. 4 (Summer 1993), p. 517-524.
  • Location: Memorial Library Reference Stacks, Z671 R23

•  Ford, P. [Percy] and G. [Grace]. A Guide to Parliamentary Papers; What They Are, How to Find Them, How to Use Them. Totowa, N.J.: Rowman and Littlefield, 1972. (see index)
  • Location: Memorial Library Reference Stacks, Z2009 A1 F6 1972
   
• Rodgers, Frank. A Guide to British Government Publications. New York: Wilson, 1980, pp. 69-82.
  • Location: Memorial Library Reference Stacks, J301 R62

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