Citation

If you use Government Publications in your research it is of course important that you correctly cite (reference) the material in your work. This page covers the specifics of citing different types of Government Publications, for more general help in this area consult theReferencing and Bibliography module of this tutorial.

Bound sessional papers

You will need to cite the title, session, paper number, and volume number. You may also cite the volume page number, although this is optional.

For example: Papers respecting recent changes in Ionian Islands, 1850 (1276), XXXVI, 607.

Unbound sessional papers

You will need to cite the title, session, and paper number.

For example: Welfare of Ducks Bill, 2001-02, HL Bill 21.

Debates

You will need to cite the volume number, House, series, date, and column number.

For example: 285 H.C. Deb. 6s. 13 Nov 1996, col. 294.

Please note that if the column number is in italics, this refers to written answers to parliamentary questions.

Public Acts : before 1963

You will need to cite the title, regnal year, and chapter number.

For example: Act for the better management of the Metropolis, 18 & 19 Vict c.120.

Public Acts : 1963 onwards

You will need to cite the title, year, and chapter number.

For example: Wild Mammals (Protection) Act, 1996 c.3.

Local Acts : before 1963

You will need to cite the title, regnal year, and chapter number (in Roman numerals).

For example: Central Ireland Railway Act, 59 & 60 Vict c. xvi.

Local Acts : 1963 onwards

You will need to cite the title, year, and chapter number (in Roman numerals).

For example: Hambros Bank Act, 1970 c. xxvi.

Non-parliamentary publications

You will need to cite the department, title, publisher and date.

For example: Department of Energy. Development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom. HMSO, 1990.