The Coventry University Guide to Referencing in Harvard Style

HOW TO REFERENCE A GOVERNMENT BILL

 

In-text citation

 

In your own writing, within brackets write ‘HC Bill’ or ‘HL Bill’ and in new brackets give the Parliamentary Session, then give the Bill serial number in square brackets. Note that every time a Bill passes through Parliament, it is re-numbered. Give an in-text citation within brackets with ‘HC’ for House of Commons or ‘HL’ for House of Lords then the date and page number if appropriate.

 

Example

In 2005, the House of Commons passed a new bill (HC Bill (2005) [124])  that replaced previous provisions for children in local authority care (HC 2005: 56).

 

Reference

 

Give the name of the House as in your in-text citation then the date in brackets. Then write ‘Great Britain Parliament’ followed by a full stop. Give the complete title of the Bill in italics followed by a full stop. Give the place of publication followed by a colon then the publisher. Finally, within brackets give the Bill details and number if appropriate.

 

Example

House of Commons (2005) Great Britain Parliament. Children (leaving care): A Bill to make provision about children and young

persons who are being, or have been looked after by a local authority; to replace section 24 of the Children Act 1989; and for connected purposes. London: Stationery Office (Bill: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons; 124)