What is Hansard, and what is its primary function?

Hansard is the official transcript of parliamentary debates in Britain and many Commonwealth countries. Its primary function is to provide a detailed record of the proceedings and discussions that take place within the legislative bodies.

Who is Hansard named after, and what was his profession?

Hansard is named after Thomas Curson Hansard (1776–1833), who was a London printer and publisher. He held the position of the first official printer to the Parliament at Westminster.

What was the status of parliamentary debates in Britain before 1771?

Before 1771, the British Parliament was a highly secretive body. While official records of parliamentary actions were available, there was no public record of the debates themselves. Publishing remarks made in the House was considered a breach of parliamentary privilege and was punishable.

How did early newspapers report parliamentary debates before official records were common?

As public interest in parliamentary debates grew, independent newspapers began publishing unofficial accounts. To circumvent restrictions, editors often used the device of reporting debates under the guise of discussions from fictitious societies or bodies, such as the "Proceedings of the Lower Room of the Robin Hood Society" or the "Debates of the Senate of Magna Lilliputia."

What significant event involving Brass Crosby occurred in 1771 related to publishing parliamentary proceedings?

In 1771, Brass Crosby, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, released a printer named John Miller who had published reports of parliamentary proceedings. Crosby was subsequently ordered to appear before the House and was committed to the Tower of London. However, after facing protests and legal challenges, Crosby was released, and Parliament subsequently reduced its harsh punishment for publishing debates.

Who was William Cobbett, and what was his contribution to parliamentary reporting?

William Cobbett was a notable radical and publisher who began publishing "Parliamentary Debates" as a supplement to his "Political Register" in 1802. He also extended his work to include the "Parliamentary History," aiming to document parliamentary proceedings.

How did Thomas Curson Hansard become associated with the "Parliamentary Debates"?

Thomas Curson Hansard began printing William Cobbett's reports in 1809. In 1812, due to financial difficulties, Cobbett divested himself of his proprietorship of the "Parliamentary Debates" and "Parliamentary History," which then passed into Hansard's hands, leading to the publication eventually being known as "Hansard Parliamentary Debates."

What were the limitations of early Hansard publications compiled from newspaper sources?

Early editions of Hansard were compiled from various sources, primarily morning newspapers, as no one was employed to take down notes of the debates directly. Consequently, these early editions are not considered absolutely reliable guides to everything that was discussed in Parliament.

When did Parliament officially take over the publication of Hansard, and what changes were implemented?

Parliament took over the publication of Hansard in 1909. At this time, its own staff of official Hansard reporters was established, debates of the two Houses were published in separate volumes, and the front cover color changed from orange-red to light blue.

What are the defined terms of reference for what constitutes a report in Hansard?

According to a House of Commons select committee in 1893, Hansard is defined as a report that is substantially verbatim but omits repetitions and redundancies, and corrects obvious mistakes. However, it must not leave out anything that adds to the meaning of the speech or illustrates the argument.

How does Hansard handle interjections and interruptions during parliamentary debates?

Interruptions are marked with the word "(Interruption)" in Hansard, covering various events from laughter to physical disturbances. Interjections from seated members are generally included only if the member speaking responds to them or comments on them.

What is the significance of the Stockdale v Hansard case?

The Stockdale v Hansard case in 1839 involved a defamation suit against Hansard for publishing a report about an indecent book. The court found that the House of Commons did not have the privilege to order the publication of defamatory material. This led to the passing of the Parliamentary Papers Act 1840, which established privilege for publications authorized by the House.

How has the identification of party affiliations evolved in the UK Hansard?

For many years, the House of Commons Hansard did not formally acknowledge political parties, referring to members of the same party as "hon. Friends." This changed in 2003 when members' party affiliations began to be explicitly identified.

What is the parliamentary convention regarding inaccurate statements made in the UK Parliament?

There is a parliamentary convention that if a member of Parliament makes an inaccurate statement during a debate, they must submit a written correction. This correction is then recorded in the copy of Hansard kept in the House of Commons library.

How has digitization impacted the accessibility of UK Hansard?

The internet, with the help of volunteers, has made the UK Hansard more accessible. Historic copies have been digitized, and the online Hansard is now searchable from 1803, with ongoing efforts to improve its format and accuracy.

How does the Canadian Hansard differ from the UK Hansard in referring to members?

Unlike the UK House of Commons, where members are called by name, members in the Canadian House are referred to by the parliamentary ridings they represent (e.g., "The member for Richmond Hill") or by their cabinet post. Hansard supplies an affiliation and name the first time each member speaks on a particular day.

Why is the Canadian Hansard considered a valuable resource for machine translation training?

Due to the bilingual nature of the Canadian federal government, two equivalent Hansards are maintained in French and English. This creates a natural parallel text that is useful for training French-English machine translation programs, although the translations are not always literally exact.

What historical struggles for press freedom are mentioned in the context of Newfoundland's Hansard development?

In Newfoundland, the struggle for a free press was notably violent. The text mentions incidents such as the editor of the "Saint John's Ledger," Henry Winton, having his ears cut off, and a "Gentleman by the name Parsons" of the "Newfoundland Patriot" being imprisoned.

Who was Joseph Howe, and why is his libel case considered a cornerstone in Canadian press freedom?

Joseph Howe was a prominent advocate for parliamentary debates who bought "The Novascotian" newspaper in 1827. In 1835, he was prosecuted for libel over a published letter. Howe defended himself and was found not guilty, establishing his case as a cornerstone in the development of freedom of the press in Canada.

When did Ontario begin producing an official record of its legislative debates?

No official record of the debates in the Ontario Legislature was produced before 1944. Prior to this, debates were reported in various newspapers, and the provincial archives collected these reports in scrapbooks until 1953.

What significant changes occurred in Alberta regarding legislative proceedings in 1972?

In 1972, Alberta adopted a formal Hansard system. On March 8, 1972, a motion was introduced to create "Alberta Hansard," and the following day, motions were passed allowing audio and video recording in the Chamber and permitting visitors to take notes.

What are the editorial guidelines for "Alberta Hansard" regarding revisions?

Alberta Hansard follows editorial guidelines established in the 19th century, aiming for substantially verbatim transcripts. Revisions are limited to correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation, ensuring parliamentary forms are observed, and minimizing repetition, but no material alterations that would change the sense of what was spoken are made.

When was the first complete official record of debates produced in the British Columbia Legislature?

The British Columbia Legislature did not produce a complete official record of its debates until 1972. A partial record had been issued starting in 1970.

How are members identified in the British Columbia Hansard compared to the UK Hansard?

In British Columbia Hansard, opposition members and government backbenchers are identified only by their initial and last name (e.g., "A. Wilkinson"). Current cabinet ministers have "Honourable" prefixed to their names (e.g., "Hon. S. Hagen"), which is a simpler identification method than typically used in the UK Hansard.

Which Australian parliament was the first to adopt the use of Hansard?

The Parliament of South Australia was the first Australian parliament to use Hansard, with it becoming a convention from 1857.

When did the Parliament of New South Wales commence its Hansard system?

The Parliament of New South Wales began its Hansard system on October 28, 1879, starting with the reporting of the Legislative Council.

When was Hansard introduced in Tasmania?

In Tasmania, Hansard was not introduced until 1979, with its commencement on June 6 for the Legislative Council and June 12 for the House of Assembly.

When was the first official report of debates produced for the New Zealand Parliament?

The first official report of debates for the New Zealand Parliament was produced on July 9, 1867.

What are the rules for members requesting corrections to their speeches in New Zealand Hansard?

Members in New Zealand are provided with draft copies of their speeches and can request corrections for inadvertent factual inaccuracies. However, they are not permitted to make significant changes that would alter what they originally said in the House.

What is the equivalent of Hansard in the United States?

The equivalent of Hansard for the United States is the Congressional Record, which serves as the official record of the proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

What is the general principle guiding the editing of Hansard reports across different countries?

Across various countries, Hansard reports generally follow the principle of being substantially verbatim. This means repetitions, redundancies, and obvious errors are omitted or corrected, but nothing that adds to the meaning or illustrates the argument is left out.

How does Hansard typically handle references to other members within a debate?

When members refer to each other, Hansard often adds clarifying information in parentheses, such as the name of the MP being referred to, especially the first time they are mentioned in a speech or debate, to ensure clarity for the reader.

What was the purpose of the "Parliamentary Papers Act 1840"?

The Parliamentary Papers Act 1840 was passed in response to the Stockdale v Hansard case. Its purpose was to establish parliamentary privilege for publications made under the authority of the House of Commons, protecting them from defamation claims.

How has technology influenced the production and accessibility of Hansard in recent times?

Technological advancements, particularly the internet and digital recording, have significantly impacted Hansard. Digital recordings allow for more accurate transcription, while online publication and digitization efforts have made historical and current Hansard records far more accessible to the public.

What does the term "filleted" refer to in the context of early parliamentary debate reporting?

The term "filleted" in the context of early parliamentary debate reporting refers to the practice of disguising the names of speakers. For example, a prominent figure like Sir Robert Walpole might be thinly disguised as "Sr. R—t W—le" to obscure their identity while still indicating who was speaking.

What was the "Parliamentary Register" and when was it published?

The "Parliamentary Register" was an early publication that attempted to report parliamentary debates. It was published by John Almon and John Debrett, beginning in 1775 and continuing until 1813.

What is the difference between "Hansard" and a strictly verbatim transcript?

While Hansard aims to be a substantially verbatim report, it is not a word-for-word transcript. It allows for the omission of repetitions and redundancies and the correction of obvious grammatical errors, ensuring clarity and conciseness without altering the original meaning or argument.

How does the Canadian Hansard handle members speaking in different languages?

The Canadian Hansard records note the language used by members of parliament. If a member speaks in French, the English Hansard would indicate this and refer the reader to the corresponding French Hansard record for the full text.

What role do parliamentary archives play in preserving Hansard records?

Parliamentary archives, such as the UK Parliamentary Archives, hold the official records of Hansard publications. They ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of these historical documents for research and public reference.

What does the phrase "Some hon. members: Oh, oh!" signify in Canadian Hansard?

The phrase "Some hon. members: Oh, oh!" in Canadian Hansard is used to report interjections that give rise to a call for order by the Speaker, indicating a disruption or objection from multiple members during a debate.

What was the "Mirror of Parliament" and how did it differ from Hansard?

The "Mirror of Parliament," published by J. H. Barrow from 1828 to 1843, was a commercial rival to Hansard. It was more comprehensive in its reporting but differed significantly because Barrow checked each speech with the Member and allowed them to make corrections, a practice not aligned with Hansard's editorial principles.

How did the introduction of a larger page format in 1980 affect the UK Hansard?

In 1980, a larger page format was introduced for the UK Hansard, utilizing new technology. This change likely aimed to improve readability and accommodate more content per page, reflecting evolving printing standards.

What is the "Scrapbook Hansard" mentioned in relation to Ontario and Alberta?

The "Scrapbook Hansard" refers to collections compiled from newspaper reports of legislative proceedings before official Hansard records were established. In Ontario, provincial archives clipped and collected these reports until 1953, and in Alberta, the Legislature Library compiled a similar collection from 1905 to 1971.

What is the significance of the "Parliamentary Register" in the history of Hansard?

The "Parliamentary Register," published from 1775 to 1813, was one of the early successful attempts to publish reports of parliamentary debates after Parliament began to be less harsh in punishing such publications. It represented a step towards more open reporting of legislative proceedings.

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Origins

From Secrecy to Scrutiny

Historically, the British Parliament operated with a high degree of secrecy. While official records documented parliamentary actions, the debates themselves were not publicly recorded. Publishing these discussions was considered a breach of parliamentary privilege, punishable by imprisonment or dismissal. As public interest in parliamentary proceedings grew, independent newspapers began publishing unofficial accounts, often under pseudonyms or within fictitious contexts like the "Senate of Magna Lilliputia" featured in The Gentleman's Magazine.

The Struggle for Free Press

The mid-18th century saw significant challenges for printers reporting on parliamentary debates. Figures like Brass Crosby, the Lord Mayor of London, faced repercussions for supporting the publication of proceedings. However, campaigns for free speech, notably by John Wilkes, gradually shifted parliamentary tolerance. This period saw the emergence of more dedicated publications, such as the Parliamentary Register, which began documenting debates more systematically.

Cobbett, Hansard, and the Birth of the Record

William Cobbett, a prominent radical publisher, began his own Parliamentary Debates in 1802. His work was printed by Thomas Curson Hansard. Following financial difficulties, Cobbett divested his publications to Hansard in 1812. This marked the transition to what became known as Hansard Parliamentary Debates, eventually shortened to "Hansard." Early editions relied on newspaper reports and were not strictly verbatim, but they laid the foundation for a consistent record.

United Kingdom: The Modern Hansard

Evolution to Official Publication

The modern era of Hansard began in 1909 when Parliament assumed direct control over its publication. This led to the establishment of dedicated official reporters and the separation of debates into distinct volumes for the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The format also evolved, with larger pages introduced in 1980. While striving for accuracy, Hansard is not a literal word-for-word transcript; it adheres to terms of reference established in 1893, omitting repetitions and redundancies while preserving the core meaning and arguments of speeches.

Handling Debates and Statements

Hansard meticulously records parliamentary proceedings. Interjections and heckling are generally included only if the speaker directly responds. Interruptions are noted as "(Interruption)," covering a range of events from laughter to disorder. Written ministerial statements, responding to formal questions, are also published. The publication also notes voting records in divisions and identifies members' party affiliations, a practice formalized in 2003.

Accessibility and Legal Precedent

Digitization efforts have significantly increased the accessibility of UK Hansard, allowing for online searching of records dating back to 1803. A notable legal case, Stockdale v Hansard (1839), established that parliamentary privilege did not protect the publication of defamatory material, leading to the Parliamentary Papers Act 1840, which codified privilege for official publications.

Canada: Bilingual Records

Reporting Conventions

Canadian Hansard, like its UK counterpart, is not strictly verbatim. It focuses on avoiding repetitions and errors. Members are identified by their constituency or cabinet post, with names provided upon first speaking. Interjections are reported if they elicit a response. The reporting of divisions and motions is detailed, often indicating when a vote is deferred.

Bilingualism and Machine Translation

Canada's bilingual nature results in parallel English and French Hansard records. This alignment makes it a valuable resource for training machine translation systems. While translations capture the meaning, they may not always be literal, and the records note when members speak in a different official language, directing readers to the corresponding Hansard.

Anecdotal Evidence

The detailed nature of Hansard has led to interesting situations, such as a Senator accused of reading a book during a filibuster to obtain a free translation via Hansard, highlighting the document's role beyond mere record-keeping.

Australia: Early Adoption

Pioneering the Record

Australia's parliamentary bodies adopted the Hansard system relatively early. The Parliament of South Australia was the first Australian parliament to implement Hansard, beginning the practice in 1857. The Parliament of Victoria followed suit in 1866, and the Parliament of New South Wales commenced its Hansard system in 1879. Tasmania was a later adopter, introducing Hansard in 1979.

From Newspapers to Official Transcripts

Initially, like in other regions, parliamentary debates were often reported in newspapers. Over time, these practices evolved into the formal, official Hansard records maintained by each parliament, ensuring a consistent and accessible account of legislative proceedings.

New Zealand: Continuous Publication

Consistent Documentation

The New Zealand Parliament produced its first official report of debates on July 9, 1867. Since then, official transcripts of speeches in the House of Representatives have been continuously published. The Hansard is now produced by a dedicated team within the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Modern Production and Editorial Standards

Today, New Zealand Hansard is transcribed directly from digital recordings, with staff present in the chamber to monitor proceedings. Strict editorial guidelines ensure the record is as close to verbatim as possible, allowing for corrections of grammar and punctuation but prohibiting significant alterations that change the meaning of spoken words. Members receive draft copies for review, balancing accuracy with the integrity of the parliamentary record.

Assemblies Using Hansard

Global Reach of the System

The Hansard system, originating in the UK, has been adopted by numerous parliamentary bodies and legislative assemblies across the Commonwealth and beyond. This practice underscores a global commitment to transparency and the public's right to access records of their government's deliberations.

Parliament of the United Kingdom and devolved institutions
Parliament of Canada and provincial/territorial legislatures
Parliament of Australia and state/territory parliaments
Parliament of South Africa and provincial legislatures
Parliament of Barbados
East African Legislative Assembly
New Zealand Parliament
Parliament of Malaysia and state legislatures
National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
Parliament of Singapore
Legislative Council of Brunei
Parliament of Sri Lanka
Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago
National Assembly of Kenya
National Assembly of Tanzania
Parliament of Ghana
Parliament of Uganda
Parliament of Mauritius
Parliament of Jamaica
National Assembly of Seychelles
States of Jersey
States of Guernsey
Tynwald (Isle of Man)
National Assembly of Nigeria
National Assembly of Namibia
Parliament of Botswana
Parliament of Zimbabwe

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The Official Record

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Origins 📜

🏛️ From Secrecy to Scrutiny

⚖️ The Struggle for Free Press

✒️ Cobbett, Hansard, and the Birth of the Record

United Kingdom: The Modern Hansard 🇬🇧

🗓️ Evolution to Official Publication

🗣️ Handling Debates and Statements

🔗 Accessibility and Legal Precedent

Canada: Bilingual Records 🇨🇦

🗣️ Reporting Conventions

🌐 Bilingualism and Machine Translation

📖 Anecdotal Evidence

Australia: Early Adoption 🇦🇺

🕰️ Pioneering the Record

📰 From Newspapers to Official Transcripts

New Zealand: Continuous Publication 🇳🇿

📅 Consistent Documentation

💻 Modern Production and Editorial Standards

Assemblies Using Hansard 🌍

📋 Global Reach of the System

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Origins

From Secrecy to Scrutiny

The Struggle for Free Press

Cobbett, Hansard, and the Birth of the Record

United Kingdom: The Modern Hansard

Evolution to Official Publication

Handling Debates and Statements

Accessibility and Legal Precedent

Canada: Bilingual Records

Reporting Conventions

Bilingualism and Machine Translation

Anecdotal Evidence

Australia: Early Adoption

Pioneering the Record

From Newspapers to Official Transcripts

New Zealand: Continuous Publication

Consistent Documentation

Modern Production and Editorial Standards

Assemblies Using Hansard

Global Reach of the System

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice