Laying Parliamentary Papers
A guidance note aimed at staff in organisations required to lay papers before Parliament, but will also be of use to staff in government departments responsible for laying papers
The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook (Parliamentary Year book) is currently gathering news items for major features on diversity
Laying Parliamentary Papers
A guidance note aimed at staff in organisations required to lay papers before Parliament, but will also be of use to staff in government departments responsible for laying papers
http://www.premierebailbonds.com – In the Bail Resource Guide, Premiere Bail Bonds, a leading California bail bonds company, explains the history of bail, how bail works, explains the difference between different bonds, the premiums and rates as well as the different county bail schedules. This is your all-encompassing resource guide to bail bonds in California.
The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook (Parliamentary Year book) is currently gathering news items for major features on diversity
Laying Parliamentary Papers
A guidance note aimed at staff in organisations required to lay papers before Parliament, but will also be of use to staff in government departments responsible for laying papers
http://www.premierebailbonds.com – In the Bail Resource Guide, Premiere Bail Bonds, a leading California bail bonds company, explains the history of bail, how bail works, explains the difference between different bonds, the premiums and rates as well as the different county bail schedules. This is your all-encompassing resource guide to bail bonds in California.
A review of the growth of the Israel Genealogy Research Association Database Collection for the last 12 months. Our collection is now passed the 3 million mark and still growing. See which archives have contributed the most. See the different types of records we have, and which years have had records added. You can also see what we have for the future.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
Normal Labour/ Stages of Labour/ Mechanism of LabourWasim Ak
Normal labor is also termed spontaneous labor, defined as the natural physiological process through which the fetus, placenta, and membranes are expelled from the uterus through the birth canal at term (37 to 42 weeks
Safalta Digital marketing institute in Noida, provide complete applications that encompass a huge range of virtual advertising and marketing additives, which includes search engine optimization, virtual communication advertising, pay-per-click on marketing, content material advertising, internet analytics, and greater. These university courses are designed for students who possess a comprehensive understanding of virtual marketing strategies and attributes.Safalta Digital Marketing Institute in Noida is a first choice for young individuals or students who are looking to start their careers in the field of digital advertising. The institute gives specialized courses designed and certification.
for beginners, providing thorough training in areas such as SEO, digital communication marketing, and PPC training in Noida. After finishing the program, students receive the certifications recognised by top different universitie, setting a strong foundation for a successful career in digital marketing.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
A review of the growth of the Israel Genealogy Research Association Database Collection for the last 12 months. Our collection is now passed the 3 million mark and still growing. See which archives have contributed the most. See the different types of records we have, and which years have had records added. You can also see what we have for the future.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
Normal Labour/ Stages of Labour/ Mechanism of LabourWasim Ak
Normal labor is also termed spontaneous labor, defined as the natural physiological process through which the fetus, placenta, and membranes are expelled from the uterus through the birth canal at term (37 to 42 weeks
Safalta Digital marketing institute in Noida, provide complete applications that encompass a huge range of virtual advertising and marketing additives, which includes search engine optimization, virtual communication advertising, pay-per-click on marketing, content material advertising, internet analytics, and greater. These university courses are designed for students who possess a comprehensive understanding of virtual marketing strategies and attributes.Safalta Digital Marketing Institute in Noida is a first choice for young individuals or students who are looking to start their careers in the field of digital advertising. The institute gives specialized courses designed and certification.
for beginners, providing thorough training in areas such as SEO, digital communication marketing, and PPC training in Noida. After finishing the program, students receive the certifications recognised by top different universitie, setting a strong foundation for a successful career in digital marketing.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Product Design Trends in 2024 | Teenage EngineeringsPixeldarts
The realm of product design is a constantly changing environment where technology and style intersect. Every year introduces fresh challenges and exciting trends that mold the future of this captivating art form. In this piece, we delve into the significant trends set to influence the look and functionality of product design in the year 2024.
How Race, Age and Gender Shape Attitudes Towards Mental HealthThinkNow
Mental health has been in the news quite a bit lately. Dozens of U.S. states are currently suing Meta for contributing to the youth mental health crisis by inserting addictive features into their products, while the U.S. Surgeon General is touring the nation to bring awareness to the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The country has endured periods of low national morale, such as in the 1970s when high inflation and the energy crisis worsened public sentiment following the Vietnam War. The current mood, however, feels different. Gallup recently reported that national mental health is at an all-time low, with few bright spots to lift spirits.
To better understand how Americans are feeling and their attitudes towards mental health in general, ThinkNow conducted a nationally representative quantitative survey of 1,500 respondents and found some interesting differences among ethnic, age and gender groups.
Technology
For example, 52% agree that technology and social media have a negative impact on mental health, but when broken out by race, 61% of Whites felt technology had a negative effect, and only 48% of Hispanics thought it did.
While technology has helped us keep in touch with friends and family in faraway places, it appears to have degraded our ability to connect in person. Staying connected online is a double-edged sword since the same news feed that brings us pictures of the grandkids and fluffy kittens also feeds us news about the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the dysfunction in Washington, the latest mass shooting and the climate crisis.
Hispanics may have a built-in defense against the isolation technology breeds, owing to their large, multigenerational households, strong social support systems, and tendency to use social media to stay connected with relatives abroad.
Age and Gender
When asked how individuals rate their mental health, men rate it higher than women by 11 percentage points, and Baby Boomers rank it highest at 83%, saying it’s good or excellent vs. 57% of Gen Z saying the same.
Gen Z spends the most amount of time on social media, so the notion that social media negatively affects mental health appears to be correlated. Unfortunately, Gen Z is also the generation that’s least comfortable discussing mental health concerns with healthcare professionals. Only 40% of them state they’re comfortable discussing their issues with a professional compared to 60% of Millennials and 65% of Boomers.
Race Affects Attitudes
As seen in previous research conducted by ThinkNow, Asian Americans lag other groups when it comes to awareness of mental health issues. Twenty-four percent of Asian Americans believe that having a mental health issue is a sign of weakness compared to the 16% average for all groups. Asians are also considerably less likely to be aware of mental health services in their communities (42% vs. 55%) and most likely to seek out information on social media (51% vs. 35%).
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfmarketingartwork
This article is all about what AI trends will emerge in the field of creative operations in 2024. All the marketers and brand builders should be aware of these trends for their further use and save themselves some time!
A report by thenetworkone and Kurio.
The contributing experts and agencies are (in an alphabetical order): Sylwia Rytel, Social Media Supervisor, 180heartbeats + JUNG v MATT (PL), Sharlene Jenner, Vice President - Director of Engagement Strategy, Abelson Taylor (USA), Alex Casanovas, Digital Director, Atrevia (ES), Dora Beilin, Senior Social Strategist, Barrett Hoffher (USA), Min Seo, Campaign Director, Brand New Agency (KR), Deshé M. Gully, Associate Strategist, Day One Agency (USA), Francesca Trevisan, Strategist, Different (IT), Trevor Crossman, CX and Digital Transformation Director; Olivia Hussey, Strategic Planner; Simi Srinarula, Social Media Manager, The Hallway (AUS), James Hebbert, Managing Director, Hylink (CN / UK), Mundy Álvarez, Planning Director; Pedro Rojas, Social Media Manager; Pancho González, CCO, Inbrax (CH), Oana Oprea, Head of Digital Planning, Jam Session Agency (RO), Amy Bottrill, Social Account Director, Launch (UK), Gaby Arriaga, Founder, Leonardo1452 (MX), Shantesh S Row, Creative Director, Liwa (UAE), Rajesh Mehta, Chief Strategy Officer; Dhruv Gaur, Digital Planning Lead; Leonie Mergulhao, Account Supervisor - Social Media & PR, Medulla (IN), Aurelija Plioplytė, Head of Digital & Social, Not Perfect (LI), Daiana Khaidargaliyeva, Account Manager, Osaka Labs (UK / USA), Stefanie Söhnchen, Vice President Digital, PIABO Communications (DE), Elisabeth Winiartati, Managing Consultant, Head of Global Integrated Communications; Lydia Aprina, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Nita Prabowo, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Okhi, Web Developer, PNTR Group (ID), Kei Obusan, Insights Director; Daffi Ranandi, Insights Manager, Radarr (SG), Gautam Reghunath, Co-founder & CEO, Talented (IN), Donagh Humphreys, Head of Social and Digital Innovation, THINKHOUSE (IRE), Sarah Yim, Strategy Director, Zulu Alpha Kilo (CA).
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Search Engine Journal
The search marketing landscape is evolving rapidly with new technologies, and professionals, like you, rely on innovative paid search strategies to meet changing demands.
It’s important that you’re ready to implement new strategies in 2024.
Check this out and learn the top trends in paid search advertising that are expected to gain traction, so you can drive higher ROI more efficiently in 2024.
You’ll learn:
- The latest trends in AI and automation, and what this means for an evolving paid search ecosystem.
- New developments in privacy and data regulation.
- Emerging ad formats that are expected to make an impact next year.
Watch Sreekant Lanka from iQuanti and Irina Klein from OneMain Financial as they dive into the future of paid search and explore the trends, strategies, and technologies that will shape the search marketing landscape.
If you’re looking to assess your paid search strategy and design an industry-aligned plan for 2024, then this webinar is for you.
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summarySpeakerHub
From their humble beginnings in 1984, TED has grown into the world’s most powerful amplifier for speakers and thought-leaders to share their ideas. They have over 2,400 filmed talks (not including the 30,000+ TEDx videos) freely available online, and have hosted over 17,500 events around the world.
With over one billion views in a year, it’s no wonder that so many speakers are looking to TED for ideas on how to share their message more effectively.
The article “5 Public-Speaking Tips TED Gives Its Speakers”, by Carmine Gallo for Forbes, gives speakers five practical ways to connect with their audience, and effectively share their ideas on stage.
Whether you are gearing up to get on a TED stage yourself, or just want to master the skills that so many of their speakers possess, these tips and quotes from Chris Anderson, the TED Talks Curator, will encourage you to make the most impactful impression on your audience.
See the full article and more summaries like this on SpeakerHub here: https://speakerhub.com/blog/5-presentation-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers
See the original article on Forbes here:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2016/05/06/5-public-speaking-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers/&refURL=&referrer=#5c07a8221d9b
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd Clark Boyd
Everyone is in agreement that ChatGPT (and other generative AI tools) will shape the future of work. Yet there is little consensus on exactly how, when, and to what extent this technology will change our world.
Businesses that extract maximum value from ChatGPT will use it as a collaborative tool for everything from brainstorming to technical maintenance.
For individuals, now is the time to pinpoint the skills the future professional will need to thrive in the AI age.
Check out this presentation to understand what ChatGPT is, how it will shape the future of work, and how you can prepare to take advantage.
A brief introduction to DataScience with explaining of the concepts, algorithms, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning, clustering, statistics, data preprocessing, real-world applications etc.
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Time Management & Productivity - Best PracticesVit Horky
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The six step guide to practical project managementMindGenius
The six step guide to practical project management
If you think managing projects is too difficult, think again.
We’ve stripped back project management processes to the
basics – to make it quicker and easier, without sacrificing
the vital ingredients for success.
“If you’re looking for some real-world guidance, then The Six Step Guide to Practical Project Management will help.”
Dr Andrew Makar, Tactical Project Management
2. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Contents
Introduction 1
Papers at a glance 5
House of Commons (HC) Papers 7
Papers laid by Return to an Address
(Unopposed Returns) 14
Act Papers not printed as House of Commons (HC) papers 15
Command papers 17
Statutory Instruments 19
Laying before both Houses or before the
House of Commons only 21
Timing of release and publication of papers
laid before the House 22
Withdrawing a paper 23
Contacts for further advice 25
Checklist of format requirements for laid papers 26
Appendix 1:What can be laid when 27
Appendix 2: Sample cover for a
House of Commons paper 28
Appendix 3: Sample title page for a
House of Commons paper 29
Appendix 4: Sample laying letter for a
House of Commons paper 30
Appendix 5: Laying ministers list 31
Appendix 6: Sample letter withdrawing a paper 32
3. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Introduction
About this guide
1. This guidance note is aimed at staff in organisations required to
lay papers before Parliament, but will also be of use to staff in
government departments responsible for laying papers.
2. The information in this guide will help you to determine which
type of document yours is and to ensure that it is presented for
laying in the correct format.
3. If you have any queries, you can contact the Journal Office. The
parliamentary branch of your department or parent department
may also be available to offer advice. You will need to contact
the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) and The Stationery
Office (TSO) about publishing and printing your document,
and the Vote Office to ensure that copies of the document are
available to Members. Contact details are provided at the back of
this booklet.
Reason and authority for laying a paper before the House
4. The purpose of laying a paper before the House of Commons is
to make the information contained in the document available to
the House and its Members. Members may come to the Journal
Office to look at a document as soon as it is laid. Copies of laid
documents should also be available in the Vote Office shortly
after they are laid.1 Depositing a paper in the House of Commons
Library does not constitute laying.
5. Once a paper/document has been laid before the House, it will
appear in the Appendix to the Votes and Proceedings. The Votes
and Proceedings are the formal legal record of what happens in
the House of Commons and are published overnight at the end
of each sitting day. See: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/
pa/cm/cmvote/cmvote.htm. Please note that on some occasions
the House sits through the night and into the next day. This may
affect the date on which a paper is recorded as being laid.
1 Speaker’s Ruling, 25 March 2009 (HCDeb Col 307) 1
4. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
6. any documents are required by law to be laid before the
M
House. These are called Act Papers and are referred to as being
laid “by Act”.2 Other papers are made available to the House
by the Government. These are called Command Papers and are
referred to as being laid “by Command”.3
7. Documents required by law to be laid should be laid by Act
rather than by Command with few exceptions. A paper cannot be
laid by both Act and Command. There are some other authorities
for laying which are relatively rare such as a Resolution of the
House in response to a Return to an Address (see page 14 for
details). If you are in any doubt as to the authority by which your
document should be laid, please contact the Journal Office as
early in the process as possible.
8. Documents laid before the House must be a standard format.
In recent years, several documents that did not meet House
of Commons requirements had to be reprinted in order to be
accepted for laying. Please contact the Journal Office if you have
any queries to ensure this does not happen to your document.
The laid copy must be identical to the published version.
9. ll Act papers must contain a title page which refers to the Act
A
under which they are laid. This Act is sometimes referred to
as the Parent Act or statutory authority. Many organisations’
annual report and accounts are required by an Act of Parliament
to be laid before the House. If the reports are audited by the
Comptroller and Auditor General (i.e. the National Audit Office),
they must be laid as a House of Commons paper, part of the HC
numbered series.
2 The Act that requires the document to be laid provides statutory authority.
3 The Government lays these papers “by Command” of Her Majesty under the Royal Prerogative
2
5. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Parliamentary privilege
10. apers ordered to be printed by the House of Commons enjoy
P
the protection of absolute privilege under the Parliamentary
Papers Act 1840 from the moment when they are laid. This
means that legal proceedings cannot be brought against persons
for the publication of the document. This type of paper is
printed as part of the HC reference series which is administered
by the Journal Office.
11. However, reports should not, other than in exceptional
circumstances, knowingly make references or comments which
are in breach of an injunction or other order of any court, or
which might, without the privilege, give rise to an action for
defamation. If circumstances arise when parliamentary privilege
is being used to protect the content of a paper, the authorities of
the House must be consulted beforehand.
12. f previous documents in the same sequence as your document
I
have previously been published as an HC paper, or your
document has sensitive content, it is likely that it should be
an HC paper. Annual report and accounts audited by the
Comptroller and Auditor General must be published as HC
papers.
13. You will need to contact the Journal Office if your document is
being published as an HC paper. The office can also offer advice
as to whether your document should be an HC paper, and can
issue an HC paper number. There are strict requirements for
the publication of HC papers. Details are given in the relevant
section of this guide (Page 7).
14. The specific requirements for the following categories of paper
are set out in separate sections of this guide:
• Act papers printed as House of Commons (HC) Papers
• Un-numbered Act Papers
• Command Papers (numbered and un-numbered)
This document does not provide detailed guidance on the laying
3
6. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
of statutory instruments although some basic information is
given on page 19. Information on the preparation and making of
statutory instruments and the parliamentary procedures relating
to them can be found at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/statutory-
instrument-practice, or contact siregistrar@opsi.x.gsi.gov.uk .
The next two pages are a summary of the format, printing and
distribution requirements for different types of document.
4
7. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Papers at a glance:
Laying requirements for all papers:
• wo copies of the document, with cover letters (stapled
T
to the front of the document) clearly setting out the title
of the document, the authority for laying, what or whether
parliamentary proceedings apply, and the name of the
Minister formally laying the document, to be delivered
to the Journal Office by hand (Government Departments
have messengers who do this on a regular basis and have
passes to access the Parliamentary Estate).
• ard copies of laid documents should be available to
H
Members of the House from the Vote Office, shortly after
laying.
• he copy of the document laid before the House must be
T
the final version. If any revision or correction is necessary
after laying, please contact the Journal Office to discuss
whether the document can be corrected or if it should
be withdrawn and re-laid. Correction slips and relaid
papers must be made available in the Vote Office (see
page 23 for further information on withdrawing a paper or
issuing a correction slip).If a document is laid in “proof”
or “typescript”, this should be stated in the cover letter. A
“proof” copy for laying must be correct and not different in
any way from the final published version (see para 27b).
5
8. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Act Papers HC Papers
Must have a Title Page bearing specific information (see
page 10).
Must be A4, portrait.
Must be printed in hard copy and must be published by
TSO and on the Official Documents website.4
Copies must be available in the Vote Office shortly after
laying.
Should not be reproduced as part of another document.
Can only be laid when the House is sitting.
Must not be Un-numbered
published Must have a Title Page bearing specific information (see
(including on page 9).
the internet) Must be A4, portrait.
or otherwise Must be printed in hard copy and should be published
released before on the Official Document’s website.
laying. Copies must be available in the Vote Office shortly after
laying.
Can be laid when the House is not sitting (but will be
recorded as being laid on the next sitting day).5
Command Numbered
Papers HMSO/OPSI administer the Cm. series and have specific
format requirements. Contact details are at the back of
this booklet.
Copies must be printed in hard copy and must be
published by TSO and on the Official Documents
website.
Copies must be available in the Vote Office shortly after
laying.
Can be laid Un-numbered
when the House In some cases a paper is laid “by Command” but is not
is not sitting printed or published (e.g. Departmental Minutes), or has
Should ideally a limited distribution.
be part of the Except for Explanatory Memoranda to Statutory
numbered Instruments, an electronic copy must be e-mailed to the
Command series Vote Office shortly after laying (Vote_Office@parliament.
Un-numbered uk) to be made available to Members.
Should be made available for publication on the Official
Documents website.
4 See para 21. TSO will provide furniture for the document, including an ISBN number and barcode.
5 These papers should therefore not be published, or otherwise released, until that sitting day.
6
9. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
House of Commons (HC) Papers
15. eport and Accounts audited by the National Audit Office and
R
containing the certificate of the Comptroller and Auditor General
must be laid as House of Commons papers as part of the HC
numbered series.6 If previous documents in the same sequence
as your document have previously been published as an HC
paper, or your document has sensitive content, it is likely that it
should be an HC paper. If in doubt, please contact the Journal
Office.
16. HC papers must not be released, i.e. in electronic format on
your website, before they have been laid before Parliament
and officially published by TSO. Nor should parts of HC papers
be re-printed as separate documents.7 The release of an HC
paper before laying is a discourtesy to the House. You should
plan the laying and publication of your document carefully so as
to avoid being unable to publish because the House is in recess.
Further information on timings of the release of documents laid
before the House is given on page 22. If you anticipate that you
will have difficulties in respect of this requirement you should
contact the Journal Office as early in the process as possible.
6 Organisations whose accounts are audited by the NAO usually fall into one of the following
categories: a) the Treasury has issued an accounts direction in relation to the report and accounts
under the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000; b) the accounts are those of a trading fund
under the Government Trading Funds Act 1973; or c) the organisation is a Non-Departmental Public
Body (NDPB).
7 Accounts which have been printed as part of a combined annual report should not be reprinted as a
separate document. If you wish to circulate only the accounts section please contact the Journal Office.
7
10. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
HC numbers
17. The HC series is administered by the Journal Office. Please
contact the office to discuss whether your document should be
an HC paper, and to obtain an HC paper number (sometimes
called a printing number). When you obtain an HC number you
will need to tell us the date you plan to lay the document. If this
changes you should inform the Journal Office.8 Printing numbers
can be obtained up to four weeks in advance.
18. The printing number will remain valid unless the paper is laid
in a different parliamentary session from the one originally
planned. The printing number series begins again in each
Session of Parliament (rather than at the start of the calendar
year). Please let the Journal Office know if a printing number is
no longer required.
19. new printing number is required for each year’s report and
A
accounts. If a report and a set of accounts/financial statements
are to be laid as separate documents but with the same HC
number, each volume should be numbered as HC 123–I, HC
123–II etc (volumes are distinguished by uppercase roman
numerals). This also applies to any document printed in
volumes. Each volume must have a title page.
20. HC paper numbers may be obtained by contacting the
Outer Office staff on (020) 7219 3361/3252 or by email to
journaloffice@parliament.uk with the words “HC Number
Request from” followed by the name of the organisation in the
subject header.
8 The date of laying must appear on the title page of the document, after the words “Ordered by the
House of Commons to be printed ...”.
8
11. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Printing and format requirements
21. House of Commons papers must be printed in hard copy.
Electronic publishing alone does not meet the requirements of
the House. The paper does not need to be expensively printed.
All that is required is a clear and readable text which conforms
with the rules set out below. HC papers must also be published
by TSO under the terms of a contract administered by HMSO/
OPSI, even if TSO are not the printers. TSO will assign an ISBN,
cover price and barcode and will oversee the initial distribution
of the document to the various offices within Parliament
(including the Vote Office). However, TSO are not responsible for
laying the document and cannot do so on your behalf.
22. f a document is to be printed by an organisation other
I
than TSO, TSO must be consulted about arrangements for
publication at an early stage. HC papers not published by TSO
will not be accepted for laying.
23. If you are publishing your report and accounts electronically
you must ensure that the text and layout is identical to the laid
version, including the requirements for a title page set out below.
The electronic versions should not be published before printed
copies are available in the Vote Office.
24. House of Commons Papers form part of a continuous series,
which are bound together by some libraries. As part of the
binding process the covers of the document are removed. This
is why HC papers must have a title page containing all the
necessary information about the document for the historical
record. Papers that do not conform to the following requirements
will not be accepted by the Journal Office:
a) ormat requirements:
F
i) he paper must be A4 size, and must be predominantly
T
portrait in orientation.
ii) Tables, etc., may be in landscape orientation, but printing
the whole document in landscape is not allowed, even if the
paper is bound along the long side.
iii) he document should be saddle stitched (stapled through
T
9
12. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
the spine) or perfect bound (glued into a cover); comb or
spiral binding should not be used as this makes documents
difficult to bind into volumes.
iv) substantive text should appear on the inside of the front
No
or back covers, as they are usually stripped off when being
bound.
b) he document must have a title page. The title page must be
T
the first inside facing (recto) page of the document and may not
be combined with a contents page or preface. The title page
should not bear substantive text or a contents page on its reverse.
The Crown Copyright notice (with the OPSI Crown Copyright
statement and the publication’s ISBN number) must be displayed
on the reverse in accordance with the guidance issued by HMSO/
OPSI. TSO will ensure that this is included in every paper they
produce. Title pages should include only the information listed
below in a font size that is clearly legible (a minimum of 10 point
is recommended). A sample title page is reproduced in Appendix
3.
i) The full title of the document. If the document is an
annual report and accounts the statutory name (rather
than an abbreviation) of the organisation and the period
covered by the accounts;9
ii) The legislation under which the document is being laid,
e.g.:
“Presented to the House of Commons pursuant to section
7 of the Government Resources and Accounts Act
2000” (for a supply-financed agency); or “Presented to
Parliament pursuant to section 4(6) of the Government
Trading Funds Act 1973 as amended by the Government
Trading Act 1990” (for a trading fund agency);
9 The use of the words ‘accounts’, ‘account’ or ‘financial statements’ in the title of the publication
should correspond to the heading for the financial information within the document and the covering
letter.
10
13. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
iii) The words “Ordered by the House of Commons to be
printed” and the date of laying (in full: date month year).
If the date of laying changes late in the publishing process,
the title page must be updated accordingly to show the
correct date;
iv) The House of Commons printing number, towards the
bottom of the title page, and in a size no smaller than 8
point (ideally 10 point or larger), the number should be
preceded by the abbreviation “HC”. Ideally, this number
should also appear on the front cover of the document (a
sample front cover is reproduced in Appendix 2);
v) The publishing imprint “London: The Stationery Office”
and the price: these will normally be added by TSO or
in consultation with them (if, for example, you are using
another printer).
The Journal Office is available to check draft title pages to ensure
that they are acceptable.
25. or those organisations which, unusually, expect to produce a
F
report and accounts or other docoment as separate volumes
the requirements about title pages apply to each volume,
and each title page should make it clear that there are more
than one document (this should also be explained in the letter
accompanying the laying copies).
11
14. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Laying an HC paper
26. s House of Commons Papers are ordered to be printed by the
A
House they can only be laid when the House is sitting. House
of Commons Papers cannot be laid on days when the House
is adjourned or on which Parliament is prorogued or dissolved.
Please note that the House does not normally sit on Fridays
except those on which private Members’ bills are taken. The
Journal Office can advise about the days on which the House
is expected to sit. Where possible avoid laying on the last day
before a recess; if there is a problem with your paper, you
may not be able to lay it until after the recess and this will
significantly delay publication.
27. To lay a paper two complete copies of the paper must be
delivered, by hand, to the Journal Office, which is on the
third floor of the House of Commons, above the Chamber. The
Journal Office is not the same place as the Vote Office, which
handles bulk copies of papers for distribution to Members and
others. Documents are not accepted for laying by post, fax or
e-mail. Advice on laying is available from the Journal Office
and from parliamentary branches in parent departments. The
physical act of laying your paper is usually undertaken by the
parliamentary branch of your parent department (in the name of
a Minister). Messengers will need a parliamentary pass to access
the office.
12
15. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
a) ach of the laying copies must be accompanied by a letter
E
(stapled to the front of both copies of the document) that sets
out clearly:
• the title of the document;
• the Act under which it is laid;
• the name of the Minister that will be formally recorded as
laying the document (see Appendix 5);
• the House of Commons number that has been allocated to
it; and
• that no Parliamentary proceedings apply to the paper.10
A sample laying letter is reproduced in Appendix 4.
b) he laying copies should be the final printed version of the
T
document. In exceptional circumstances where this is not
possible, proofs can be accepted provided the text is correct,
complete and will not differ in any way from the final printed
version. The pagination of the document should be the
same in the laid text document as in the printed publication.
Pictures do not have to be included in proofs, but captions to
them should be. If the price is not known it may be left off the
proof but the title page must meet all the other requirements
for the printed copies (see Para 24b).
28. he laying of your paper will be formally listed in the appendix to
T
the Votes and Proceedings of the day on which it was laid. The
Votes and Proceedings is the authoritative, formal record of the
House’s proceedings. It is published as part of the daily “Vote
Bundle”, which also contains the Order Paper. The Votes and
Proceedings is available on the parliamentary website (http://
www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmvote/cmvote.htm ).
You should check the Vote entry for your paper in the Votes and
Proceedings for the day on which you have laid your paper.
10 The reason for this is that some House of Commons Papers are subject to parliamentary
proceedings, for example Local Government Grant Reports and Statements of Changes in Immigration
Rules. If the document is subject to parliamentary proceedings it will say so in the legislation that
requires the document to be laid.
13
16. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Papers laid by Return to an Address (Unopposed
Returns)
29. In some cases the government may wish to lay a particularly
sensitive report (usually of an inquiry) for which there is no
statutory requirement or authority to lay, but for which the
protection of parliamentary privilege is needed (for example,
Lord Laming’s Progress Report on the Protection of Children
In England in March 2009). You should contact the Journal
Office straight away if you are preparing a document which falls
into this category. The advance agreement of the Clerk of the
Journals is required and a motion has to be moved and agreed
to on the Floor of the House to facilitate the laying of a Return
to an Address, which is published as an HC paper in the usual
way. The required motion for an unopposed return must be
tabled by the relevant government department at least the day
before the document is due to be laid. For further information,
contact the Journal Office.
30. Please note that the process of laying a Return to an Address
only applies to the House of Commons. If you are laying the
same document in the House of Lords, the letter to the Printed
Paper Office should note that the document is being laid as an
un-numbered command paper.
Corrections to HC papers
31. f it becomes necessary to correct or revise a document
I
published as an HC paper after the document has been laid,
you must contact the Journal Office prior to the publication and
distribution of a correction slip. Correction slips will be accepted
for minor, typographical errors. If the correction is substantive, it
may be necessary to withdraw your paper and lay it again with a
new HC number. This should be avoided if possible.
14
17. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Act Papers not printed as House of Commons Papers
(Un-numbered Act Papers)
32. here papers are required by statute to be laid before the
W
House, but are not printed by order of the House, not all the
requirements set out above for HC papers apply. The procedure
is:
a) To lay a paper two complete copies of the paper must be
delivered, by hand, to the Journal Office, which is on the
third floor of the House of Commons, above the Chamber.
The Journal Office is not the same place as the Vote Office,
which handles bulk copies of papers for distribution to
Members and others. Documents are not accepted for laying
by post, fax or e-mail. Advice on laying is available from the
Journal Office and from parliamentary branches in parent
departments. The physical act of laying your paper is usually
undertaken by the parliamentary branch of your parent
department (in the name of a Minister). Messengers will need
a parliamentary pass to access the office
b) he document must have a title page stating the legislation
T
under which the document is being laid, for example:
“Presented to the House of Commons pursuant to section
35(5) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993”.
c) ach of the laying copies must be accompanied by a letter
E
(stapled to the front of both copies of the document) that sets
out clearly:
• the title of the document;
• the Act under which it is laid;
• The name of the Minister formally laying the document (see
Appendix 5); and
• that no parliamentary proceedings apply to the paper.11
A sample laying letter is reproduced in Appendix 4.
11 If the document is subject to parliamentary proceedings it will say so in the legislation that requires
the document to be laid.
15
18. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
d) he laying copies should be the final printed version of the
T
document. In exceptional circumstances where this is not
possible, proofs can be accepted provided the text is correct,
complete and will not differ in any way from the final printed
version. Pictures do not have to be included in proofs, but
captions to them should be. Pagination/folio references should
be the same as in the final printed version. If the price is not
known it may be left off the proof but the title page must meet
all the other requirements for the printed copies.
e) The paper must be A4 size, and must be predominantly
portrait in orientation. This facilitates binding into a series.
33. The laying of your paper will be formally listed in the Appendix
to the Votes and Proceedings of the day on which it was laid.
The Votes and Proceedings is the authoritative, formal record
of the House’s proceedings. It is published as part of the daily
“Vote Bundle”, which also contains the Order Paper. The Votes
and Proceedings is available on the Parliamentary website
(http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmvote/cmvote.
htm). You should check the Vote entry for your paper in the
Votes and Proceedings for the day on which you have laid your
paper. The protection of the Parliamentary Papers Act 1840
does not apply to these papers.
34. ct papers that are not HC papers may be delivered on non-
A
sitting days (but not in the period between the dissolution of
a Parliament and the first day of meeting of the next one),
although they will be treated as having been laid on the next
sitting day and should not normally be published until then (if
this will cause difficulties, please consult the Journal Office).
16
19. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Command papers
35. f there is no statutory authority for laying a document, it cannot
I
be laid “by Act”, but can be laid “by Command”.
36. f you are likely to want to present accounts as a Command
I
Paper, you should consult your parent department well in
advance. The rules above about the format of Act papers do
not apply (although the requirements for numbered Command
Papers are similar—see next paragraph), and you should not
request or use a House of Commons number.
37. ost Command Papers appear within a numbered series
M
administered by HMSO/OPSI (still part of the public sector and
now operating as part of The National Archives), which allocates
the numbers required, and also sets common standards on
appearance and format, described in their booklet How to
publish a Command Paper, or see http://www.opsi.gov.uk/
official-publications/publishing-guidance/how-to-publish-a-
command-paper.pdf. The title page of all Command papers
should state that the document is “laid before Parliament by
Command of Her Majesty” and be followed by the month and
year in which it is to be laid. All Command papers should be
published by TSO though they need not be the printers.
38. You should contact OPSI if you are planning to produce a
document as a command paper. Contact details are provided at
the back of this booklet.
39. ccasionally, Command Papers are un-numbered. In some
O
cases a paper is laid “by Command” but is not printed or
published (e.g. Departmental Minutes), or has a limited
distribution. Nevertheless, copies must be made available to the
Vote Office; guidance on un-numbered Command Papers should
be sought from HMSO/OPSI.
40. f you are laying an un-numbered command paper, other than
I
an Explanatory memorandum to a Statutory Instrument or
Treaty, you must send an electronic copy, by e-mail, to the Vote
Office (Vote_Office@parliament.uk), shortly after laying. This is
17
20. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
to ensure hard copies of the document can be made available to
Members.
41. ommand Papers are normally required to be laid before both
C
Houses and can be laid on any weekday during the existence of
a Parliament. This includes non-sitting days during adjournments
and when Parliament is prorogued, but not in the period
between the dissolution of a Parliament and the first day of
meeting of the next one.
42. To lay a paper two complete copies of the paper must be
delivered, by hand, to the Journal Office, which is on the
third floor of the House of Commons, above the Chamber. The
Journal Office is not the same place as the Vote Office, which
handles bulk copies of papers for distribution to Members and
others. Documents are not accepted for laying by post, fax or
e-mail. Advice on laying is available from the Journal Office
and from parliamentary branches in parent departments. The
physical act of laying your paper is usually undertaken by the
parliamentary branch of your parent department (in the name
of a Minister). Messengers will need a parliamentary pass to
access the office. They should be accompanied by a laying letter
(stapled to the front of both copies of the document) that sets
out clearly:
• the title of the document;
• hat it is being laid by Command with the name of the
t
laying Minister; and
• the Command number, if applicable.
18
21. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Statutory Instruments
43. Most Statutory Instruments are required to be laid before
the House by Act, although some are required to be laid by
Statutory Instrument (for example, many Statutory Rules
of Northern Ireland). Explanatory Memoranda and Impact
Assessments are laid by Command. Please ensure that the
letter accompanying an instrument clearly sets out whether an
instrument has attachments (Explanatory Memorandum/Impact
Assessment) and what the laying authority is.
44. Most Statutory Instruments are subject to parliamentary
procedure: Affirmative Procedure requires an instrument to be
approved by the House before it comes into force (sometimes
referred to as approval by resolution); Negative procedure
provides for a period of time (usually 40 days, but occasionally
28 days) during which Members of the House can raise an
objection by tabling a prayer seeking the annulment of the
instrument.12 Please ensure that you include details of which
parliamentary procedure an instrument is subject to (including
if it is not subject to parliamentary procedure) in the letters that
accompany the document on laying.
45. ffirmative instruments (usually but not always laid in draft) are
A
debated either in Delegated Legislation Committee (which then
reports to the House) or on the Floor of the House, and the
House has to agree to them before they can be made. If you are
laying an affirmative instrument you will also need to write to
the Principal Clerk of the Table Office to ask that a motion for
the instrument’s approval be added to the Order Paper.
12 There is a further category of “super-affirmative” procedure which applies to some Legislative
Reform Orders. If you are dealing with a Legislative Reform Order you may wish to consult the Journal
Office.
19
22. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
46. egative Instruments may be referred by the Government to a
N
Delegated Legislation Committee or for debate on the Floor of
the House, although the Government is under no obligation to
refer the instrument, even if it has been prayed against. If the
instrument is considered by a Delegated Legislation Committee,
the Committee will report to the House that it has considered
the instrument, but the House will not automatically be asked
to consider it. If the House agreed by resolution to seek the
annulment of the instrument, it would not automatically come
out of force and in most cases a Revocation Order would be
required.
47. The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, the Select
Committee on Statutory Instruments and the Merits of Statutory
Instruments Committee in the House of Lords all scrutinise
Statutory Instruments. Further information on the work of these
Committees is available at: http://www.parliament.uk/business/
committees.cfm
48. he laid version of a made instrument (i.e. not a draft) must
T
be the final version as signed. If corrections that fall within
the category regarded by the Joint or Select Committee on
Statutory Instruments as suitable for inclusion in the published
version of the instrument are made by corrections slips or by
revised printed versions (i.e. without amendment or revocation/
replacement), those slips or versions should be sent to the
Journal Office and Vote Office to allow them to be taken into
account if the instrument is debated. Where corrections fall
outside that category they can only be made by an amending or
a revoking and replacing instrument.
49. The laid version of a draft instrument is the copy that will be
debated in Delegated Legislation Committee and considered by
the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments. If corrections
that fall within the category regarded by the Joint or Select
Committee on Statutory Instruments as suitable for inclusion
in the published version of the instrument are identified, a
correction slip or reprint of the draft may be issued but you
should consult the Journal Office and Statutory Instrument
Registrar before the correction slip or reprint is produced. Such
20
23. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
corrections, if identified after approval by the House, can be
made in the published version of the instrument, but a letter
outlining the correction should be sent to the Journal Office to
be filed with the original laid instrument. Where corrections
are outside that category and fall to be made before debate,
withdrawal and relaying (with new time limits applying) will be
required.
50. Further information on the preparation and making of statutory
instruments and the parliamentary procedures relating to them
can be found at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/statutory-instrument-
practice, or contact siregistrar@opsi.x.gsi.gov.uk .
Laying before both Houses or before the House of
Commons only
51. Before laying your paper you should check whether it needs
to be laid before Parliament (i.e. both the House of Commons
and the House of Lords) or only before the House of Commons.
The title page of the document should be worded accordingly
(i.e. ‘Presented to Parliament’ or ‘Presented to the House of
Commons’).
52. nder section 7 of the Government Resources and Accounts Act
U
2000, the Treasury may issue an accounts direction applying to
the accounts. If it does so, the accounts must be prepared and
transmitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General, who must
certify and report on them to the Treasury. They must be then
laid before the House of Commons. Accounts produced under
section 7 of this Act do not need to be laid before the House of
Lords.
53. rading Funds are subject to an accounts direction provided
T
for by s. 4(6)(a) of the Government Trading Funds Act 1973
(as amended by the Government Trading Act 1990). The same
procedures for reporting by the Comptroller and Auditor General
should be followed, except that the reports and accounts are
laid before both Houses.
21
24. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
54. If your paper is laid under a different Act, the Act will specify
whether the document is to be laid before Parliament or before
the House of Commons. Your lawyers or those of your parent
department will be able to check this for you.
55. ommand papers and Statutory Instruments are normally laid
C
before both Houses.
56. he information in this booklet relates to laying requirements
T
for the House of Commons. However, the requirements of the
House of Lords are substantially similar. Contact details for the
Printed Paper Office in the House of Lords are at the back of
this booklet.
Timing of release and publication of papers laid before
the House
57. A paper is considered to be formally laid before the House when
a copy of it is accepted by the Journal Office. At that point
Members of the House are able to come to the Journal Office
to view to the document. Once laid, government departments
should, shortly afterwards, make hard copies of the document
available to the Vote Office so that copies can be made available
to Members.13 This does not mean that the document has
also to be available to the general public at that time (i.e. if you
are laying advance copies for the House). If TSO are arranging
publication of a document,usually provide the Vote Office with
hard copies. If your document is an Un-numbered Command
Paper (other than an Explanatory Memorandum to a Statutory
Instrument) you should e-mail a copy to the Vote Office shortly
after it has been laid (Vote_Office@parliament.uk).
13 Speaker’s Ruling, 25 March 2009 (HCDeb Col 307)..
22
25. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
58. If a document is an embargoed advance copy, you may lay it
but should label it with embargo stickers. The Journal Office is
not responsible for monitoring or enforcing embargos. If your
document is subject to a timed release (for example to coincide
with a statement) and it is not desired that Members have
copies in advance, you should wait until the time of release to
lay the document. You may not deposit papers in the Journal
Office for laying at a later time. Once delivered to the Journal
Office a paper is laid and should be made available in the Vote
Office shortly afterwards.
59. ny paper required by an Act of Parliament to be laid before the
A
House should not be released (i.e. in electronic format on your
website) before it has been laid. The release of an HC paper
before laying is a discourtesy to the House.
60. C papers cannot be laid when the House is not sitting. Other
H
Act papers will be received, but are not treated as being laid
until the next sitting day (and should not be published, or
otherwise released, until that sitting day). You should plan
the laying and publication of your document carefully so as to
avoid being unable to publish because the House is in recess.
If you anticipate that you will have difficulties in respect of this
requirement you should contact the Journal Office as early in
the process as possible.
Withdrawing a paper and Correction Slips
61. If you do need to withdraw a paper you will need to send 3
copies of a withdrawal letter to the Journal Office, one of which
will be stamped and returned to you as proof of receipt. This
letter must be separate from any letter laying a new version of
the document. The letter should include:
the full title of document including any paper reference
•
n
umber;
the date on which the paper was originally laid;
•
the reason for withdrawal; and
•
whether and when a revised copy is to be laid.
•
23
26. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
A sample withdrawal letter is shown in Appendix 6.
62. f you are withdrawing a document that has been laid in both
I
Houses of Parliament you will also need to send withdrawal
letters to the Printed Paper Office in the House of Lords.
63. deally withdrawing and relaying a paper should happen on
I
the same day. On withdrawal of a document all original copies
should be withdrawn from circulation and pulped.
64. If the document is a Statutory Instrument, you will need to
consult Statutory Instrument Practice: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/
si/si-practice.doc
Please note that a Statutory Instrument that is in force cannot
usually be withdrawn. Explanatory Memoranda relating to
Statutory Instruments are laid by Command and may be
withdrawn (please state the details of the instrument the
memorandum relates to clearly in the cover letter).
65. n some cases errors in a document can be corrected by way
I
of a correction slip (corrigendum, erratum). Correction slips will
be accepted for minor, typographical errors. If the correction is
substantive, it may be necessary to withdraw your paper and lay
it again. If a correction slip is issued it should be distributed to
all known recipients of a document. TSO can offer advice on the
publication and distribution of correction slips (contact details
provided at the back of the booklet) but you should contact
the Journal Office prior to the publication and distribution of a
correction slip.
24
27. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Contacts for further advice
Journal Office, House of Commons
• or advice on laying papers in the House of Commons, format
F
and title page requirements contact: (020) 7219 3310/3317; fax
(020) 7219 2269.
• or HC numbers contact: (020) 7219 3361/3252, fax (020)
F
7219 2269.
Other contacts
• aying papers in the House of Lords: Clerk of the Printed Paper
L
Office, House of Lords, (020) 7219 1246.
• aking papers available to Members of the House of Commons:
M
Vote Office, (020) 7219 3631
• reparing reports and accounts for laying: In the first
P
instance, advice should be sought from the parliamentary branch
of your parent department.
• o organise the printing and publication of HC and Command
T
papers: TSO Command and House Papers Team (020) 7394
4272, parlypubs@tso.co.uk
• or advice concerning the production of HC and Command
F
papers, and obtaining Command paper numbers: HMSO/
OPSI, tel (020) 3334 2772 or (020) 3334 2799 or email
hmsopublishing@opsi.x.gsi.gov.uk
• ertificate and Report of the Comptroller and Auditor
C
General: the appropriate Audit Manager at the National Audit
Office. The Parliamentary branch can be contacted on
(020) 7798 7143 or Denise.Smith@nao.gsi.gov.uk
(TSO includes copies of relevant guidance, including links to various
sources of advice, on their website at http://www.tso.co.uk/solutions/
OfficialPublishing)
25
28. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Checklist of format requirements for laid papers:
House of Commons (HC) Papers:
A4 size
Portrait orientation
Perfect bound or saddle stitched (not spiral bound)
Published by TSO
Stand-alone title page (ideally no self cover), including:
Title of document
Legislation under which it is laid
“Ordered by the House of
Commons to be printed [date]”
HC Number
TSO imprint
Other papers laid by Act
Title page bearing reference to the legislation
under which the paper is laid
A4 size
Portrait orientation
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PAPERS LAID BEFORE THE HOUSE
SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE VOTE OFFICE SHORTLY AFTER
THEY HAVE BEEN LAID, AND SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR
PUBLICATION ON THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS WEBSITE.
26
29. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Appendix 1: What can be laid when
SITTING ADJOURNMENT
PROROGATION DISSOLUTION
DAY OR RECESS
Draft SI Yes No No
Special Procedure Yes No No
Order
Made SI subject Yes No No
to affirmative
resolution before
coming into force
Made SI (whether Yes Yes Yes
subject to no
procedure, No House
negative exists before
procedure or which any
affirmative document can
resolution within be laid.
a statutory period
after coming into
force)
Command Paper Yes Yes Yes
Act Paper printed Yes No No
by order of the
House
Other Act Paper Yes received but treated as laid on next
sitting day
Return Yes No No
Journal Office opening hours for laying papers:
Mondays and Tuesdays: 10.00am until the rise of the House
Wednesdays and Thursdays: 9.30am until the rise of the House
Sitting Fridays: 9.30am until the rise of the House
Non-sitting days (adjournment, recess and prorogation): 11am – 3pm
27
30. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Appendix 2: Sample front cover for a House of Commons paper
Disability Rights Commission
Annual Report and Accounts
2005-06
HC 253 £13.25
28
31. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Appendix 3: Sample title page for a House of Commons paper
Disability Rights Commission
Annual Report and Accounts
2005-06
Annual Report presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Work and
Pensions in pursuance of paragraph 16(3) of Schedule 1 to the Disability Rights
Commission Act 1999 and Accounts presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State
for Work and Pensions on behalf of the Comptroller and Auditor General in pursuance
of paragraph 15(2) of Schedule 1 to the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999.
Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed on 5th May 2006
HC 253 London: The Stationery Office £13.25
29
32. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Appendix 4: Sample covering letter for a House of Commons paper
Department for Work and Pensions
Parliamentary Branch
1 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 2AU
Tel (0207) 123 123 Fax (0207) 123 124
Email address
The Clerk in Charge
Journal Office
House of Commons
LONDON
SW1A 0AA
5th May 2006
Dear Sir/Madam,
Disability Rights Commission Annual Report and Accounts for 2005–06
1. The Disability Rights Commission Annual Report and Accounts are
presented for laying before the House of Commons pursuant to:
Sections 15(2) and 16(3) of the Disability Rights
Commission Act 1999.
2. A Printing Order is required and HC 253 has been allocated.
3. he publication is not subject to any further Parliamentary
T
procedures.
4. Please lay in the name of Mr Secretary Hutton.
Regards
Parliamentary Branch
30
33. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Appendix 5: List of laying Ministers
The Appendix to the Votes and Proceedings records the papers laid before the House each day, and also lists
the name under which they were laid (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmvote/cmvote.htm).
Current practice is such that there is an agreed list of laying ministers, and papers will only be laid in the
name of those ministers. This list is agreed between the Journal Office and each department. The Journal
Office will not record any document as being laid in the name of someone not appearing on that list.
LAYING MINISTERS:
Style for Votes and Proceedings and Order Paper
Cabinet Office The Prime Minister
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Liam Byrne
Justice; Secretary Jack Straw
Privy Council
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Mr Pat McFadden
Department for Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears
Department for Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Andy Burnham
Department for Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls
Department for Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Miliband
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Hilary Benn
Departments for Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary John Denham
Department for International Development Mr Secretary Alexander
Department for Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon
Department for Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell
Department of Health Secretary Alan Johnson
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Secretary David Miliband
Home Office Secretary Jacqui Smith
House of Commons Ms Harriet Harman
Law Officers’ Departments The Solicitor General
Ministry of Defence Mr Secretary Hutton
Northern Ireland Office Mr Secretary Woodward
Scotland Office Secretary Jim Murphy
Treasury Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chief Secretary Yvette Cooper
Financial Secretary Stephen Timms
Exchequer Secretary Angela Eagle
Paymaster General Tessa Jowell
Economic Secretary Ian Pearson
Wales Office Secretary Paul Murphy
Papers from the NAO, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, the Health Service
Commissioner and sundry other sources such as the General Synod, are laid by the Clerk of the
House; those from the Friendly Societies by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury.
31
34. Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009
Appendix 6: Sample letter withdrawing a paper
Department for Work and Pensions
Parliamentary Branch
1 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 2AU
Tel (0207) 123 123 Fax (0207) 123 124
Email address
The Clerk in Charge
Journal Office
House of Commons
LONDON
SW1A 0AA
12th January 2009
Dear Sir/Madam,
Disability Rights Commission Annual Report and Accounts for 2007–08
1. Due to an error in the above-mentioned paper, which was laid on 10th
January 2009, it needs to be withdrawn. [If the document is a Statutory In-
strument or an Explanatory Memorandum to a Statutory Instrument please
give the full title of the instrument, and reference number, and the date on
which it was laid.]
2.The paper does not carry an HC printing number.
3. The publication is not subject to any parliamentary
procedures.
4. A corrected version of this paper will be laid today/ on DATE/ as soon as
possible.
Regards Parliamentary Branch
32