The House of Lords Sessional Papers

Abstract

Compared with sets of House of Commons Sessional Papers, the House of Lords Sessional Papers from 1801 are almost unknown and unused, largely because only two reasonably complete sets have ever existed. A description is given of a major project undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry Library, in co-operation with the libraries of the Treasury, the Home Office, the House of Lords, the British Museum, the Bodleian, and the National Library of Scotland, to re-arrange and complete the D.T.I. set, to assemble complete sets for the British Museum and the House of Lords, and to make up near-complete sets for the Bodleian and the National Library of Scotland.

Differences in arrangement between the Lords and Commons sets are described. The importance to scholars of the Lords Papers is considered, and the amount of duplication between the Lords and Commons sets assessed.

A description is also given of work in progress to locate copies of the very rare pre-I800 Lords papers and bills, and to reprint them in facsimile from I64I to I805. A microfilm edition of the Lords Papers from 1806 to 1859 is also nearly complete and ready for publi cation.