Sources in html

This section looks at the many sources of information to which you will need to have access but it excludes all the House of Commons resources which are covered in detail in our Guide on House of Commons Departments. At this stage, it is just worth repeating, however, that the House of Commons Library (020 7219 6767) is a wonderful source for much of the information, addresses and phone numbers you will ever need.

You should hold a few essential books and leaflets in your office but you will need to know where to turn for further advice and information. Much of this information, both local and national, is available on-line already so try and make sure that your "bookmarks/favourites" are kept up-to-date. In time we hope to keep the national information updated as links from the Working for an MP website.

4.2 Publications

All the information in the large boxes below was taken - with thanks - from a House of Commons Library document "Useful Resources for Constituency Staff" written by Neil Johnston and revised in May 2001. Ring 020 7219 6767 to ask for a copy. Some of the publications listed are available free from the House of Commons Vote Office, or as indicated. Before buying, check these prices (and other details) are still correct.

This is a list of books and publications that you may find useful in the running of the constituency office of a Member of Parliament. It is not exhaustive, but is intended as a guide to the reference sources most frequently used by Current Affairs Room staff when answering enquiries from Members’ staff. The contact details given are intended for use by Members' staff only. If constituents want to contact the House of Commons direct with any queries they should be directed to the House of Commons Information Office. This is staffed during office hours by Library staff and can be reached by telephoning 020 7219 4272, e-mailing hcinfo@parliament.uk or writing to the office: House of Commons Information Office, House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 2TT.

Details of publications are correct at time of printing but the author cannot accept responsibility for changes in prices or availability, or editorial content.

Not surprisingly, there is no one book that covers everything. But the one key reference that covers a lot of the questions we get asked in the Current Affairs Room is:

Vacher’s Parliamentary Companion

[Vacher Dod Publishing Ltd, PO Box 3700, Westminster, London SW1E 5NP. Tel no: 020 7828 7256. Quarterly. Annual subscription Ł45.00]

This is a publication that aims to be a handbook to central and devolved government in the UK. It contains information on Parliament and all the devolved bodies. This includes membership: MPs, Peers, MSPs, AMs, MLAs and members of the GLA. Also includes contact details, ministerial responsibilities, committee membership and opposition teams for Parliament and devolved bodies. In addition there are details of Westminster’s All Party Parliamentary Groups and Press Gallery Journalists. There is also a considerable amount of information relating to the EU including Commissioners, MEPs, Directorates and European agencies. Other information that may be of use to Members’ offices are the list of Embassies and High Commissions, both here in London and UK missions abroad, and the media directory. It is supported by the web site www.dodonline.co.uk and the hard copy is one of the most up to date sources, as it is published quarterly.

Directories of Parliament

Dod's Parliamentary Companion

[Annual. Ł120 per edition. Vacher Dod Publishing Ltd, PO Box 3700 London SW1E 5NP. Tel 020 7828 7256 but there's a parliamentary intranet version, dated March 2003, at: http://pdvnweb.parliament.uk/pcd/powtel.pdf ]

Contains much of the information in Vacher’s Parliamentary Companion (above) plus fuller biographies and photographs of MPs and Peers in Parliament. Also includes other useful parliamentary information including lists of ombudsmen, privy councillors, election results for the last general election and a glossary of parliamentary terms. There is also information on the devolved bodies and many of the executive agencies of central government. It is supported by the web site www.dodonline.co.uk

Palace of Westminster Telephone Directory

[Available from the Parliamentary Communications Directorate (PCD on 020 7219 5270)] The latest version is May 2003. Click here for links.

A full list of contacts in both Houses of Parliament, including Members and their staff, and staff and departments of both Houses. This is not a publicly available document and the contents should be treated as confidential.

PMS Parliamentary Companion

[Quarterly. Annual subscription available for Ł30. PMS Publications, 19 Douglas Street, London SW1P 4PA. Tel 020 7233 8283]

A concise directory of Parliament and government departments, plus the devolved assemblies. Also includes concise lists of local authorities, media and the EU.

Directories of Government

Civil Service Yearbook

[The Stationery Office. 2 editions per annum. Ł40 per edition. Tel 0870 600 5522 for copies]

A detailed directory of civil service contacts within government departments, devolved assemblies and departments, executive agencies and other public bodies.

List of Ministerial Responsibilities (including agencies)

[Published the Central Secretariat, Cabinet Office. Tel 020 7276 2474 for copies or free from House of Commons Vote Office Tel 020 7219 3631] Latest version: November 2003

Provides a detailed listing of departmental responsibilities of each government minister. It can be viewed at: http://www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk/elmr/minister.nsf and has the advantage of being updated regularly to reflect Ministerial changes.

House of Commons - Business

House Magazine

[Weekly during sessions. 10 Little College Street, London SW1P 3SH. Tel 020 7878 1569. Sent free to MPs]

Contains articles by and about MPs on topics of current parliamentary and governmental interest. Also includes an insert on current progress of business.

House of Commons Weekly Information Bulletin

[Weekly during sessions. Compiled by the House of Commons Library and published by the Stationery Office. Members may subscribe free via the Vote Office on 020 7219 3631. Also available on-line at:
http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmwib.htm ]

Contains a summary of past and forthcoming business in the House. Also contains committee membership, current enquiries and reports, complete list of progress all public bills currently before Parliament; white and green papers published in the preceding week and the current state of the parties.

House of Commons - Library Publications

House of Commons Information Office Factsheets

[Free and available from our Parliament and Constitution Centre on 020 7219 2219. They are also available on the Parliament website at:
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/fact.htm ]

A series of about 70 factsheets that outline various facets of the House. Includes information on historical aspects, parliamentary papers, procedures and items of interest. A full list is available on request.

House of Commons Information Office Lists

[Free and available on request from the Current Affairs Room on 020 7219 6767. Also available on the Parliament website at:
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/lists.htm ]

Alphabetical Lists of MPs - gives preferred form of name, constituency and party.

County list of MPs - lists MPs within each county.

Her Majesty's Government - Full list of ministers in the Government at all levels.

Front bench teams - gives opposition spokesman for the 5 largest opposition parties.

Select Committees - Full list of Select Committees and their membership.

All Party subject/country groups - Two lists covering APPGs and their office holders (not full membership lists)

Research Papers

[Free and available on request from the Current Affairs Room on 020 7219 6767. Also available on the Parliament website at:
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rpintro.htm or via the PDVN at:
http://hcl1.hclibrary.parliament.uk/pedds/pages/rsp_current.htm (not accessible to constituents)]

Who does what in research

[Free and available from the Current Affairs Room on 020 7219 6767. Also available electronically via the PDVN at:
http://hcl1.hclibrary.parliament.uk/general_pdf/wdwir.pdf ]

The A-Z list of subjects covered by the library and the appropriate contact details.

Other Library leaflets

[Free and available from the Current Affairs Room on 020 7219 6767]

Guide to the services of the Library

Guide to Library Networked Services

Services for Members' staff

How to…guides on finding Parliamentary Papers, newspaper articles, Acts, SIs.

House of Commons - Other departments

Clerks Department

[Available from the Vote office on 020 7219 3631]

House of Commons: a short guide to procedure and practice

Services of the Vote Office of the House of Commons

Finance and Administration

[Contact 020 7219 3699]

House of Commons Members Handbook - a guide to services of the House available for Members.

Serjeant at Arms

[Available from Serjeant At Arms Office on 020 7219 5555]

Leaflets covering the Serjeant's Department areas of responsibility including Car parking, Line of Route, Mass Lobbies, Admission to the Galleries, Assistance for Disabled Visitors and Regulations for Visitors. (See our guide on Resources, section 6.5.)

Reference Books

Britain: the Official Yearbook of the United Kingdom

[Annual. The Stationery Office. Ł37.50. Telephone orders 0870 600 5522]

Prepared by the Office for National Statistics, this is '..a factual and up-to-date overview of the state of the United Kingdom,..also covering every aspect of current government policy'.

Politico's Guide to Parliament

[1999. Available from Politico's Bookshop. Tel 020 7931 0090.]

A plain English guide to the workings of Parliament. The introduction says: 'Anyone who needs to understand the complexities of parliamentary procedure..faces an uphill struggle…In this book, every attempt has been made to explain all parliamentary terms as fully as possible..So if you are perplexed by Parliament, confused by committees or bewildered by bills.. this book will go some way to explain and elucidate.

Whitakers Almanack

[Annual. The Stationery Office. Ł40.00. Telephone orders 0870 600 5522]

One of the most famous and highly respected general reference books. As well as information on government, Parliament and the Royal Family, there are statistics, calendars, forms of address, organisations and profiles of countries of the world.

And if you are looking for an explanation of some of those obscure terms and titles which are used in the Palace of Westminster, the BBC has a long and informative list on their website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/a-z_of_parliament/default.stm Keen to learn about Dilatory Motions, Retreads and Nodding Through? Not to mention I Spy Strangers, Bisque system and Unstarred Questions? Then this is the place for you! Here’s a sample from "You Can’t Do That!" - the final item in the BBC News A-Z of Parliament.

4.3 National Agencies and Departments

Below are just a few examples from the potentially very long list of national agencies which you may need to contact from time to time.

You will be writing to a few of these – for example, the Child Support Agency – pretty regularly. Some of these are included at the back of the List of Ministerial Responsibilities, under 'Executive Agencies’ and ‘Non-Ministerial Departments’. Many also appear in the Civil Service Yearbook.

If you are used to using the world wide web, most government agencies can be found as links from this comprehensive website: http://www.open.gov.uk/ It has a simple index and also links to hundreds of other organisations, including many which are local to you. Have a browse!

When writing to these agencies, MPs usually correspond with the highest level in that organisation (Minister, Chief Executive, Head of Department etc.), even though you know it will be dealt with at another level. There are exceptions to this. For example, when dealing with CSA casework, it’s best to write to the relevant regional business unit in the first instance; this leaves open the possibility of taking the matter further with the Chief Executive of the CSA or with the Independent Case Examiner. Similarly with the Benefits Agency, it’s probably best to tackle the District Office first over a constituent’s casework.

The Guardian Unlimited web pages include a facility, aimed at the general public, but of great usefulness to caseworkers and others: It's called "MP's Surgery" and you can access it at: http://politics.guardian.co.uk/mpsurgery

4.4 Local Information

Again, the list is endless but here are a few of the essentials, all of which you will need to contact at some time or other.

Many local government agencies listed above, as well as other local organisations, can also be found as links from the excellent website already mentioned: http://www.open.gov.uk/

Instead of trying to round up all this information from the individual agencies, why not contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or other advice centres and ask if they can let you have a copy of their lists. Develop good working relationships with your local CAB. Click here for some information about Citizens Advice and the excellent Adviceguide website

4.5 The Parliamentary Intranet - PDVN

It really is worth persevering, even if you are a remote user (i.e. not connected by a phone line within the Parliamentary Estate), with accessing the Parliamentary Intranet via PDVN (Parliamentary Data and Video Network). Most of the items you could only order by post until recently (Hansard, Order Papers, Factsheets, Information Leaflets, Fees Office forms, etc) are available there on-line and printable immediately.

If you haven’t done the PDVN induction training yet, ring 020 7219 2001 to book yourself on a course. Attendance on the course is obligatory before a user can connect to the PDVN for the first time. Once you’ve done it you can use the email facilities as well. If you are a remote user and you have logged on with your username and password, your screen should look like the picture below. To get to the Parliamentary Intranet click on the Internet Explorer icon, as highlighted:

But let’s proceed with the Intranet. This is the only way to access it. Once you have logged on with your username and password and are inside the Intranet, you will see each page has its own address line. For example, the starting page of the Parliamentary Intranet is http://pdvnsco.parliament.uk/homepage.html and you might imagine that anyone with access to the world wide web can just type in the address above and get into the Parliamentary Intranet. They can’t! But once you've attended the PDVN induction you can - so use it.

This is what the opening page of the Parliamentary Intranet looks like. Enticing, isn’t it! Now it’s up to you. It would be possible to wax lyrical about all the treasures to be found here, but no…..Go and find them for yourself!

Some, but by no means all, of what you can access via PDVN is available on Parliament’s public website. The address is: http://www.parliament.uk so that’s the one to pass on to constituents. Have a look at that, too, so you know what’s on it; if you have access to the internet anyway you may find it easier sometimes, particularly if you are a remote user, not to use PDVN as it tends to be a bit sluggish.

A final word for "remote users". Problems with accessing PDVN from outside the parliamentary estate are now usually more as a result of your computer being low specification: old software, slow modem, inadequate memory, old browser etc. So bully your boss into getting up-to-date equipment for you to work on or you'll have problems with accessing the public internet as well. But make sure that you have the latest version of the Citrix installation software (Version 1.4.1 as of late May 2001) on your computer; it's what allows you to access PDVN. If you gave up on PDVN some time ago because it was terrible when you last tried it, get version 1.4.1 (ring 0207219 2001) and give it another chance! You may be pleasantly surprised.

4.6 Hotlines

It is often a sign that a department/agency is under exceptional pressure when it sets up a hotline for the use of MPs (and MEPs) and their staff. By the time the hotline appears you will probably be glad that it has as you will, by then, have begun to notice that a lot of people are tearing their hair out in frustration at their inability to get a proper response from that particular agency. Currently much-used examples are the Home Office’s Immigration and Nationality Department hotline in Croydon and the Child Support Agency’s six Regional Business Units’ hotlines.

Use hotlines to the advantage of your constituents. Some are more reliable/effective than others but most will get you results quicker than the usual process. Be sure you have all the information in front of you before you ring them. Usually you have to do all the negotiating with the hotline direct and you cannot give out the number to a constituent. In exceptional cases they have been known to talk direct to a constituent. That will save you time acting as a go-between so don’t be afraid to ask the hotline caseworker if this is an option.

Some national organisations also have a "Parliamentary Liaison Unit" or "Government Affairs Department" and it is worth keeping a note of these as they can often get to the heart of a problem much quicker than going through the usual complaints procedure.

We have a current list (correct at 18 October 2002, but liable to change) of some of the most used MPs’ Hotlines:

*** Helpful (July 2002) H.O. leaflet “Information for MPs about Immigration & nationality enquiries”. Telephone 020 7273 2898 for copy.

Please note that these hotlines are for the use of MPs and MEPs and their staff only. This list is by no means exhaustive and, if you are using any others successfully, please let us know so we can keep this list up-to-date.

Provided you work for an MP or MEP, you can access the hotline numbers by clicking here.

Sources of Information

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Publications

4.3 National Agencies and Departments

4.4 Local Information

4.5 The Parliamentary Intranet - PDVN

4.6 Hotlines