Description

Admin History:

Around 1700 the unreformed Hull Corporation had taken an interest in the Derwent (Derby) Navigation Bill (see reference C BRS/40). But it was not until after the enactment of the first Dock Act in 1774, that parliamentary business became a regular aspect of corporation work. Successive dock extension schemes in the late eighteenth and early ninetieth centuries prepared the way for massive expansion in parliamentary work created by the appearance of the railway in the second quarter of the century. Other public utilities, gas, water, electricity, tramways etc. also needed parliamentary powers to develop and improve their services and their applications added to the spate of legislation coming before the corporation. Most of these were classed as Private Bills or Acts, because they applied to specific individuals, groups or corporate bodies and not the nation as a whole. In addition, some of these were also identified as Local Acts. These Local Acts were brought forward by these corporate bodies for such projects. A few bills generally dealing with the powers, duties and functions of local authorities were also considered.

The corporation’s interests in these bills varied. In some cases it was deeply involved in promoting a cause thought beneficial to the town or in opposing apparently harmful proposals. In others, it was more specifically concerned with the impact of proposals on corporate property or interests. On its own initiative or at the request of a local interests elsewhere it took steps to oppose the admission of a principal which might subsequently be applied to Hull on the strength of the precedent. It is clear that many other bills were simply acquired and investigated as a precaution lest they include matter detrimental to Hull's corporate interest. The collection deals with files of papers relating to specific bills that affected the town and later city. These can vary in size, from a single copy of a bill to several files containing copies of the bill in all its stages, copies of petitions against it, briefs for counsels, proofs of evidence given at hearings and correspondence with agents, opponents etc.

This process of considering the impact of various bills on the town was at its zenith between the mid nineteenth and early twentieth century. However by the mid-twentieth century with parliamentary procedures changing, such as the introduction of Statuary Instruments and with fewer Local Acts being presented, there was less need for such extensive parliamentary work.

Description:

Parliamentary bills and acts; Parliamentary orders; drafts, revised and amended clauses; petitions; evidence statements; briefs; reports; statistics; notices; resolutions and minutes of meetings; accounts and other financial information; plans and maps; some photographs; correspondence and other related papers.