Hansard in United Kingdom

Definition of Hansard

In accordance with the work A Dictionary of Law, this is a description of Hansard :

The name by which the Official Report of Parliamentary Debates is customarily referred to (after the Hansard family, who – as printers to the House of Commons – were concerned with compiling reports in the 19th century). Reporting was taken over by the government in 1908, and separate reports for the House of Commons and the House of Lords are published by The *Stationery Office in daily and weekly parts. They contain a verbatim record of debates and all other proceedings (e.g. question time). Members of Parliament have the right to correct anything attributed to them, but may not make any other alterations. In certain circumstances Hansard may be used to discover the will of Parliament, as an aid to judicial statutory interpretation when legislation is unclear.

Compare journals.

Hansard (Official Report) Meaning, as used in the UK Parliament

Hansard (the Official Report) is the edited verbatim report of proceedings of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It is published daily when Parliament is sitting and records what is said in the main Chambers of both Houses, as well as proceedings in Westminster Hall, Public Bill Committees and other general committees.