Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of ...

Journal Office Guidance and requirements for laying papers before the House of Commons and their publication: April 2009Laying an HC paper26. As House of Commons Papers are ordered to be printed by theHouse they can only be laid when the House is sitting. Houseof Commons Papers cannot be laid on days when the Houseis adjourned or on which Parliament is prorogued or dissolved.Please note that the House does not normally sit on Fridaysexcept those on which private Members’ bills are taken. TheJournal Office can advise about the days on which the Houseis expected to sit. Where possible avoid laying on the last daybefore a recess; if there is a problem with your paper, youmay not be able to lay it until after the recess and this willsignificantly delay publication.27. To lay a paper two complete copies of the paper must bedelivered, by hand, to the Journal Office, which is on thethird floor of the House of Commons, above the Chamber. TheJournal Office is not the same place as the Vote Office, whichhandles bulk copies of papers for distribution to Members andothers. Documents are not accepted for laying by post, fax ore-mail. Advice on laying is available from the Journal Officeand from parliamentary branches in parent departments. Thephysical act of laying your paper is usually undertaken by theparliamentary branch of your parent department (in the name ofa Minister). Messengers will need a parliamentary pass to accessthe office.12