Hansard

Hansard refers to the official written record of debates and proceedings in parliament. It covers debates, statements by ministers, questions, and other proceedings in both houses. It serves as the authoritative public record and is used for verification, citation, and reference.

The term is named after Thomas Curson Hansard, a printer who began publishing reports of Parliament in the late 18th century; since then, "Hansard" has become the generic name for parliamentary transcripts in many Commonwealth countries.

In the United Kingdom, Hansard editions exist for the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Reports are prepared by parliamentary reporters and editors and published daily during sessions, with later binders and online editions. The text is largely verbatim, with editorial corrections for accuracy and clarity, and standardized formatting.

Outside the UK, many other Commonwealth jurisdictions maintain their own Hansard services, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Canada produces separate Hansards for the House of Commons and Senate, often in English and French; Australia and New Zealand publish official records for their parliaments as well. While each country administers its own system, the purpose is similar: to provide an authoritative, citable record of debates and proceedings.

Hansard is widely used by journalists, researchers, lawyers, and members of the public to verify statements, track policy development, and examine parliamentary history.