About Hansard
What is Hansard?
Hansard is the official written record of what is said in the Anguilla House of Assembly. It provides a faithful, impartial, and permanent account of debates, decisions, questions, policies, and the passage of legislation. In this way, Hansard preserves the history of the Assembly while making its work transparent to the public.
The name Hansard comes from the Hansard family, who developed the first reporting and publishing system for the UK House of Commons in the early 19th century. Today, Hansard exists in many Commonwealth Parliaments, including Anguilla.
Hansard helps keep Parliament accessible and accountable. It records not only speeches but also actions that occur in the House, such as interruptions, members leaving the chamber, or the use of props. Hansard may also produce transcripts of special events like lectures, speeches, or press conferences related to parliamentary business.
How Hansard Is Prepared
All speeches and proceedings in the House are recorded. The House of Assembly now uses an AI-powered transcription system developed by Evoluut AI, a local Anguillian business. This technology helps generate accurate drafts, which are then carefully reviewed and edited by Hansard staff.
Hansard editors follow the “verbatim rule”: speeches are reported in the first person and remain substantially word-for-word. Minor slips are corrected, and unnecessary repetition may be removed to aid readability, but nothing is changed that would alter meaning or weaken an argument. Editors also check spelling, grammar, and punctuation, using style guides to ensure consistency across reports.
Editorial practice follows the guidance of Erskine May’s Parliamentary Practice and the Standing Orders of the House of Assembly. Once reviewed, the Hansard transcript is published online, providing timely access to parliamentary debates and decisions.
Why Hansard Matters
Hansard is relied upon both inside and outside Parliament. Courts, lawyers, historians, educators, and the public consult it when legislation, intent, or parliamentary decisions need clarification. Its enduring value rests on two principles: accuracy and impartiality, standards that remain essential even as technology and publishing methods continue to evolve.
History
Hansard is named after the family of printers and publishers who produced the record of British parliamentary debates from 1812 to 1889. Initially, it was illegal to report what was said in the House of Commons or the House of Lords, although official decisions were available. Over time, reporting debates became essential to transparency and accountability in parliamentary systems across the Commonwealth.