A collection of local Acts of Parliament relating to Middlesex and Westminster, concerning building permission (including building bridges over the Thames at Richmond, Staines and Ealing); the powers of Justices of the Peace; the administration of the Militia; street maintenance; enclosures; and legacies, especially the disposition of estates and land after death.

Proposed Act to impose restrictions on what women could wear.

Papers of the London County Council Architect's Department relating to Council Buildings: standard specifications, tenders and quotations, 1922-1940; materials, 1930-1937; air raid precautions at Council premises, 1937-1947; salvage of waste metals and other materials, 1925-1942; lists of Council premises damaged by enemy action, 1940-1945; papers relating to the construction of hospitals and other institutions, 1929-1947, including standard planning and points of construction, fire prevention arrangements and transfer of property under the National Health Service Act 1946; papers relating to the construction of museums, 1914-1938; papers relating to the construction of housing estates, 1898-1934; papers relating to the construction of schools, 1910-1939; papers of the Board of Education Departmental Committee on the Construction of School Buildings, 1925-1927; papers relating to the construction of playgrounds, 1911-1928; programmes of building work for the Children's Department, 1950-1960; standards for car parks, 1955-1959; papers of Housing Layout Committee, 1952-1958; papers of Architects' Housing Conferences, 1950-1959; development work on Housing type plans, 1951-1962; papers relating to homes for the elderly, 1934-1961; papers relating to halfway houses and hostels, 1952-1959; design of school furniture, 1949-1959; investigations leading to selection of the Hook, Hampshire, for site of new town, 1955-1959; papers relating to Basingstoke, 1952-1963; Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Committee on Official Architecture, 1913-1929; papers relating to work done by non-LCC architects and criticism of the official Architect, 1905-1920; papers relating to town development, including Bracknell, Corby, Hemel Hempstead, Letchworth, Welwyn and Hatfield, 1952-1964; papers relating to the development of the Royal Festival Hall, South Bank.

Sample files relating to individual premises, comprising subject and policy files retained when a large number of similar files were destroyed, to illustrate the construction and maintenance works carried out at typical LCC developments. Examples include housing estates, schools and colleges, a workhouse, a hospital, a historic building, bridges and County Hall.

Reports, including surveys by the Architect of properties transferred to the LCC, including hospitals, institutions, schools, children's homes, and ambulance stations, 1929-1930; surveys of general and special hospitals, 1934-1937; minutes and reports of Departmental Committee on Hospital Standards, 1930-1934; schedule of prices for repair to buildings, 1915-1919; register of construction works, 1892-1912.

Visitor's Books for historic building Prince Henry's Room, 17 Fleet Street, 1906-1925; publication The Architectural Work of the London County Council by WE Riley, Architect to the Council, 1909; plans of demolished or disused buildings including Clerkenwell Sessions House, India Office Store, Chandos Street Fire Station, Tooley Street Fire Station, Clapham Fire Station, Bayswater Fire Station and Dulwich Fire Station.

Records of the London County Council Architect's Department relating to the control of buildings and streets under the London Buildings Act 1894 and subsequent Acts. Records include subject and policy files (including procedures, precedents, diagrams, plans, petitions, legislation, sub-committee papers, statistics, bye-laws, reviews, standards and fire reports), 1856-1965; subject and policy files for the District Surveyors, 1856-1936; subject and policy files for new building materials, 1891-1941; returns and abstracts of the District Surveyors, 1889-1954; registers of alterations to names of streets and numbering of houses, 1856-1935; reports, 1889-1965, on matters concerning building regulation, on matters affecting the District Surveyors and on the naming and numbering of streets; Ordnance Survey maps of London amended to show street name changes, proposed new roads, building numbering, borough boundaries and future road positions, 1883-1967.

Records of the London County Council Architect's Department relating to Town Planning, including proposals prepared under the 1909 Town Planning Act, 1909-1938; papers regarding the Restriction of Ribbon Development Act, 1935-1937; proposals for Town Planning Schemes, 1927-1935; regulation of advertisements and illuminated signs, 1914-1939; preservation of trees, 1932-1939; papers regarding zoning, 1921-1936; coordination and development of transport, 1926-1932; arterial and classified roads, 1915-1935; papers and research data prepared for the Plan for Redevelopment of the County of London, 1940-1942; appeals against town planning decisions, 1949-1951; schemes for Croydon and Beckenham under the 1909 Town Planning Act, 1921-1923; papers regarding garden squares and enclosures, 1923-1945; Town Planning Information Bulletins, 1959-1965; papers regarding reviews of the County of London Development Plan, 1957-1964.

Papers, 1922-1956, regarding the formulation of town planning schemes, including consultation with crown lands, estate owners, borough councils and local authorities both in and outside of London. Subject and policy files relating to Green Belt proposals, 1926-1937, town planning schemes, 1924-1939 and correspondence of the Greater London Regional Planning Committee, 1933-1936. Objections, public enquiries and modifications to the County of London Development Plan, 1951-1962. Article 'Town Planning in relation to old and congested areas with special reference to London', by Arthur Crow, 1910; papers on Arterial Roads in London, 1914-1915; report on the travelling facilities to and from south east London, 1926; reports relating to post-war reconstruction, 1943-1949; 'Plan for Saint Pancras', prepared by the Saint Pancras Borough Council, 1949; reports of the Greater London Regional Planning Committee, 1929-1931. Registers of planning applications under the Town and Country Planning Act 1947-1951.

Maps of London, Middlesex, Kent and Hertfordshire, 1860-1940, showing sewers, drains, sites of Council buildings, locations of proposed developments, street name changes, road widening schemes and tree preservation, all stamped as 'superseded'. Plans including land use surveys, 1922-1957; maps and plans made to accompany town planning schemes, 1928-1941; age of buildings survey, 1870-1916; war damage surveys, 195-; objection maps, showing the site of buildings in the 1951 Development Plan about which objections were raised, 195-; maps showing the listed historical buildings in each borough, 1965 and Bermondsey reconstruction plans, 1937-1950.

Records of Ashurst Morris Crisp, 1685-1999, including partnership agreements; financial records; copy-out letters; client papers, including Fairey Aviation Company Limited and White Waltham Airfield; press cuttings; papers relating to firm's history; staff salary books; correspondence concerning staff matters; papers relating to Ashmor Musical Society; photographs of company dinners and functions; plans and deeds relating to firm's offices at Throgmorton Avenue; papers concerning the Ashurst, Morris and Crisp families.

Records of Associated British Foods Pension Scheme's trustees, which include:

• the Trustees of Allied Bakeries Limited Pension Scheme,

• the Trustees of George Weston Holdings Limited Pension Scheme,

• the Trustees of Associated British Foods Pension Scheme, and

• Associated British Foods Pension Trustees Limited.

These include the corporate records of the trustees, records of the scheme's administration, finance and property management, and publicity material.

Records for ABF's other pension schemes, namely the senior management pensions schemes of ABF and Allied Bakeries, the Weston Life Assurance scheme and the Allied Bakeries Limited 'Q' Pension Scheme.

Records of G.W.H. Properties Limited, who managed the property of ABF Pension Scheme's trustees.

Records of the Weston Provident Fund.

Records relating to the administration of pension schemes of ABF's subsidiary companies, including the British Sugar pension schemes, the Crazy Prices Pension and Life Assurance Scheme, the D.E. Longe and Company Limited Pension Fund, and the 'Small Pension Funds', which includes the pension schemes of Thomas Burton Limited, Coxes Lock Milling Company Limited, S. Edwards and Sons Bishops Storford Limited, Gilliatt and Sons Limited, S. Healing and Sons Limited, Hipwell and Sons Limited, Andrew G Kidd Limited, J G and B Thompson Limited, William King Limited, Witherington and Over Brothers Limited and Yorkshire's Ideal Flour Mill Limited.

Records of Associated British Foods Trustee Company of Ireland Limited, which acted as trustees for ABF's pension schemes for their staff in Ireland.

Letter from George Balfour of the House of Commons (embossed heading) to C G Williams, Leigh House, Lower Heath, Hampstead, London, 16 Nov 1934. Replying to a query about Public Acts [of Parliament] passed since the National Government came in [in 1931]: 'There are some 170 Acts ... But in over fifty Acts where some distinct question of political principle enters I can find some half-dozen Conservative Acts, three times as many Socialist Acts, while the remainder are a mixture of the two with Socialism predominant ... As I have frequently said ... it is time for Conservatives to consider in what direction we are going.'

Signed by Balfour. Marked: 'Personal and Confidential' in MS.

Petition to issue a commission of bankruptcy, 3 Jan 1799, from William Wilde and Richard Sturges, of Compton Street, St James, Clerkenwell, brewers, to Alexander, Lord Loughborough, Lord High Chancellor. With attached commission of bankruptcy (3 Jan 1799), issued by George III to Richard Calvert, William Boscawen, Charles Bragge, Arthur Onslow, and Henry Gregg.

Letter from Sir Joseph Banks of Soho Square, London to Lord [?Sheffield], 10 Feb 1815. In favour of a Corn Law. 'We ought, however, to consider that by purchasing foreign Corn, we ... hazard the horrors of Famine by becoming dependant [sic] on our natural enemies for our food ...'. The first paragraph appears to be in Banks's own hand and the remainder in that of an amanuensis or copyist.

Letter from Sir Michael Edward Hicks Beach of 11 Downing Street, Whitehall, London to Dr Swayne [?Walter Carless Swayne], 18 Mar 1898. 'I cannot say that I have any special knowledge of the matters that are proposed to be dealt with by the London University Bill. But the Bill has been introduced by the Duke of Devonshire, as the head of the Department which is concerned with it, on behalf of the Government I cannot do anything in opposition to my colleague. I will, however, take steps to bring your views under his consideration ...'. Autograph, with signature.

Letter from Richard Doddridge Blackmore to B C Pugh, Esq, 11 Jan 1892. 'I cannot pretend to say what will be the effect of the new Copyright Act and I have thought very little about it'. Autograph with signature.

Letter from Henry Blain to Joseph T Pooley of 5 Church Court, [c1842]. Discussing the corn laws (with reference to Blain's pamphlet on the subject) and proposed duties [taxes]. Autograph, with signature ('H.B.'). Dated 'Sunday night'.

Deeds, Acts of Parliament, Statutes and Regulations relating to Royal Holloway College, 1883-1962, including a printed copy Deed of Foundation, 11 Oct 1883, and amendments, 26 Apr 1906; printed 'Rules and Regulations...in the Deed of Foundation, with amendments', Apr 1912, and further printed and manuscript amendments, 1925, 1939, 1940 and 1946; charter of a Grant of Arms to Royal Holloway College, May 1944; Royal Holloway College Act, 30 Jul 1949, and amended Act, Apr 1962. Records of meetings, including bound volumes containing Minutes of Governors' (Council) Meetings, 1886-1971, with indexes; Chairman's Agenda books relating to meetings of the Board of Governors, the Council and their Committees, 1887-1965; bound Attendance Registers for the Board, Council and Committees, 1889-1965. Reports and papers of the Board of Governors (Council), notably printed Governors' Reports, 1888-1891; termly Principal's Reports to the Governing Body, 1887-1969; report of a conference on University degrees for women, convened by the Governors of Royal Holloway College, 1898; printed report of a Committee appointed by the Governors to consider the question of instruction in the College, 1901. Printed annual accounts, 1896-[1985]. Registers of the use of the College Seal, 1949-1970.

Personal papers of Hartley Booth, MP. The majority of the archive is concerned with Hartley Booth's parliamentary career. LMA/4021/01 relates to Booth's parliamentary responsibilities, in particular European affairs. In addition there are files containing correspondence and background material which relate to Private Members' Bills promoted by Booth. LMA/4021/01 also contains subject files on national issues that emanated from constituents' cases.

LMA/4021/02 contains constituents' correspondence and case files as well as subject files relating to local issues. LMA/4021/03 contains Conservative Party material and subject files which relate to the period when Booth was a prospective parliamentary candidate. These files relate to both local and national issues.

As the collection consists of parliamentary and constituency material, there is a closure period of 30 years. There is no closure period on the published material in LMA/4021/04.

Records of Bow County Court, 1847-1962, including minute books; plaint and minute books; Workmen's Compensation Act register; and default actions books.

Records of the British Bankers' Association, including General Council, Executive Committee and Annual General Meeting minute books; annual reports; financial accounts; papers of Committees including the Foreign Exchange Committee and the Fiscal Committee; public relations papers including press releases and circulars; papers regarding bank employees; papers regarding the EEC Banking Federation; rules, regulations and other papers relating to membership; and papers relating to various matters of interest to the banking community including income tax, security, fraud, liquidity, clearing house payments, inter-bank cooperation, legislation, bankruptcy, credit, audits and taxation.

Restricted access to later records.

Photographs and related memorabilia, including signed photographs and cards, of attendees at various international conferences largely concerning mental health issues, in Geneva, Washington and Brazil, between c1960 and 1977. Includes photographs of a symposium of the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry and the World Psychiatric Association in 1973. Also includes a photograph of family group (possibly featuring Eileen Brooke's mother), c1880. Brooke publications regarding mental health information systems 1961-1980, report of a meeting regarding suicide as a mental health issue, Dec 1978. Brooke publications c1959-1976, World Health Organisation reports of studies 1969-1975, Curriculum vitae Eileen Brooke. Various articles and reports used for research and evaluation into cost benefit of drugs, mental health rehabilitation programmes and systems c1966-1970s.

The collection consists of working papers relating to Buchanan's professional career as a forensic psychiatrist in the UK, [1984]-2001, chiefly research papers relating to the Special Hospitals Service Authority and psychiatric reports relating to Maudsley Hospital patients.
Section 1 comprises papers arising from the daily administrative operations of Maudsley Hospital London. Section 2 contains research notes, questionnaires and criminal record 'multiple enquiry forms' produced from the Home Office Offenders Index. This material relates to an unpublished study conducted by Buchanan from 1992-1995 of discharged special hospital patients convicted of violent re-offences. The findings, intended to inform the decision making of those entrusted with the care of special hospital patients, were funded by the Special Hospitals Service Authority. There are also confidential psychiatric reports (see ref 3/1 to 3/6), produced by forensic psychiatrists at Maudsley Hospital, London. The reports evaluate an individual's competency to stand trial, defences based on mental diseases or defects (for instance the "insanity" defence), and sentencing recommendations. Section 4 contains questionnaires relating to a project funded by the John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation focused on developing the Maudsley Assessment of Delusions Schedule to provide a more accurate and effective way of assessing patient's delusions. Section 5 consists of papers relating a psychiatric case assessed by Buchanan in his capacity as a member of the Serious Untoward Incident Panel of the Hounslow and Spelthorne Community and Mental Health NHS Trust. The collection also includes photocopies of articles from medical publications and on-line resources compiled by Buchanan which relate to the ethical connotations of patient confidentiality in connection with medical trials and research (see ref 6/1).

Letter from W G Burns of Derby to Colonel [Thomas Perronet] Thompson, 23 Feb 1846. 'As I think it [a] pity you should be ignorant [of] the nature of the arguments [u]rged against free trade principles I send you a specimen of [w]hat a clerical opponent can [d]o ...'

Autograph, with signature. Written on the dorse of the title page and the end fly leaf of a pamphlet [by Henry Robert Crewe] The repeal of the Corn Laws (1846).

Correspondence and reports, 1891-1892, relating to a proposal to include Bedford College as one of the Schools of the University of London, including drafts and printed copy of a petition sent to the House of Commons and the House of Lords, 1891. Correspondence and reports, 1891-1898, relating to the establishment of the teaching University of London, notably resolutions and reports, 1892, by the Council and Staff of Bedford College giving their opinions on the proposed teaching University; copy of a speech by J Spencer Hill, Honorary Treasurer of the Chelsea Centre of the London University Extension Society, entitled 'A few words concerning the draft charter for the new teaching University for London', given at Gresham College, London, Nov 1891; letters and reports from the Committee for Opposing the Grant of the Albert University Charter, outlining the Committee's objections, Jan-Mar 1892; a printed copy of 'London University Commission Bill: arrangement of clauses' (1897); a pamphlet by members of the Convocation of the University of London, entitled Note on the occasion, effect and expediency of the compromise embodied in the London University Commission Bill, 1898. Correspondence, 1894-1895, comprising letters from William Bruce, Secretary of the Royal Commission on Secondary Education, to Henrietta Busk, thanking her for help given to the Commission. Text of lecture on 'The position of women in the University of London, the provincial universities and the University of Wales', [1910], given by Professor Beatrice Edgell, Head of Philosophy at Bedford College, to the Council of the National Union of Women Workers. Papers, 1903-[1911] and 1967, relating to Busk's post as Honorary Secretary of the Bedford College Building and Endowment Fund, notably reports, 1903-1906, relating to proposals for a new site for Bedford College, including recommendations for fundraising and outlines of accommodation needs; two plans, [1908-1911], relating to the Regent's Park site and showing the proposed and actual development of the site by the architect Basil Champneys; correspondence, programmes and financial records, 1906-1911, relating to the performances of Greek plays by students and staff to raise money for the move of Bedford College to Regent's Park, including correspondence, 1967, between Doris Bains, Bedford College Librarian, and Kathleen Spears, Secretary of Bedford College, concerning material for use in the Granville Bantock Centenary Exhibition at the Barber Institute, Birmingham. Letter, Dec 1923, from Ethel Hurlbatt, Principal of the Royal Victoria College for Women, Canada, to Henrietta Busk, mainly concerning Canadian views of the League of Nations, and the Canadian Federation of University Women. Correspondence and notes, 1908-1936, relating to the history of Bedford College, mainly comprising accounts by Busk, [1934-1936], of the origins and early history of the College, notable early students, the roles of the Honorary Secretary of Bedford College Council, the Lady Resident and the Committee of Management in the running of the College, courses offered by the College in the 1850s, and reminiscences of Busk's mother concerning the early days of Bedford College; notes, [1933-1936], made by and for Dame Margaret Janson Tuke during her research for A History of Bedford College for Women, 1849-1937 (Oxford University Press, London, 1939), including handwritten notes of informal interviews with Busk.

Correspondence of William Carey, John Campbell, Jospeh Hume, Thomas Babington Macaulay and John Philips, 1805-1847, comprising a letter from Joseph Hume to John Campbell, Apr 1843, regarding the petition from Montrose against the Factory Bill; a letter from Thomas Babington Macaulay to an unknown recipient, 6 Apr 1847, regarding the probable loss of his seat in Parliament; a letter from John Philips of Aberdeen to his brother, 19 Apr 1815; a letter from William Carey of Calcutta, to his father, 31 Dec 1805, describing conditions in India; and a letter from John Campbell to his "Christian Brethren" in Copenhagen, 7 Jan 1807.

Records of the Central Association of Bankers, a society promoting the interests of banks, comprising annual reports and accounts; minutes; circulars and reports.

Restricted access to later records.

Minutes of the Central London Sick Asylum Board of Management, 1868-1914; minutes of Committees including the Finance Committee, Cleveland Street Asylum Visiting Committee, Hendon Asylum Visiting Committee and Special Committees, 1868-1914; financial records, 1868-1914; Local Government Board orders, 1871-1913 and correspondence, 1877-1912.

Cleveland Street Asylum registers of admission and discharge, 1875-1915, creed, 1875-1915, births, 1902-1915, deaths, 1875-1915 and burials, 1877-1915.

Highgate Infirmary and Asylum registers of admission and discharge, 1870-1883, creed, 1870-1883 and deaths, 1870-1883.

Hendon Asylum registers of admission and discharge, 1900-1917.

Minutes of the Central Committee for the Unemployed and various sub-committees, 1904-1905.

Minutes of the Central Unemployed Body for London, 1905-1930, with minutes, agendas and reports of sub-committees including the Classification Committee, Emigration Committee, Employment Exchanges Committee, Finance Committee, Hollesley Bay Rota Committee, Women's Work Committee, Local Advisory Committees, Working Colonies Committee, Works Committee and Special and Joint Committees. Also legal papers, 1905-1914, including tenancy agreements, insurance policies, agreements to supply labour for carrying out works and retention of services of clerical staff on war service; file regarding Workmen's Compensation Insurance, 1906; file regarding deputation to the Local Government Board, 1900s; correspondence with the Ministry of Health, 1919-1929; correspondence regarding activities of the Central Unemployed Body, 1905-1928; annual reports, 1906-1930; report on work in workrooms for women, 1915; report on employment of disabled soliders and sailors, 1915; report on Salvation Army Colonies, 1905; emigration and immigration tables, 1914; report on trade and employment after the First World War, 1916; standing orders, 1906-1913; newspaper cuttings, 1905-1930; emigration register, 1909; Sailing Register (giving age, occupation, destination and number of dependents), 1912-1914; emigration loan registers, 1906-1915; financial records, 1905-1930; plans showing a proposed swimming pool at Burnham on Crouch, 1900s.

Papers relating to the Hollesley Bay Labour Colony including particulars of the sale of the Colonial College, report of surveyors and legal papers, 1903-1926; subject files, 1914-1938, on various subjects including emigration, payment of war bonus to staff, schemes of work, employment of discharged soldiers, administration of the Colony, reports of London Boards of Guardians, publicity, Burnt House Farm, accidents, and sale of the Colony to Prison Commissioners; papers regarding staff including salary forms, 1930-1938; individual case notes, cards and registers of inmates, 1930-1938, including register of applications, admissions and discharge registers and creed register; visitor's books, 1922-1938 and cash books, 1907-1930.

County of London Appeal Tribunal (for Conscientous Objectors) minutes, 1916-1918.

Records of small collections relating to charities, comprising:

• Account of the trusts in which all or some of the Broad Street Lecturers are parties, 1819.
• Account of subscriptions to the fund for making a causeway over Tothill Fields, 1677-1679.
• Copy deed and schedule of regulations dated 10 May 1854 relating to the use of the working men's fund raised as a memorial of gratitude to Sir Robert Peel for the repeal of the corn laws, 1854.

Records of the Chartered Gas Light and Coke Company, 1812-1949, including Director's meeting minutes; Proprietors' Meeting minutes; Committee of Accounts, Finance and Audit minutes; Committee of Works minutes; Committee of Works and Products minutes; Committee of Chemistry and Machinery minutes; Committee of Light and Experiments minutes; Committee on Machinery and Works minutes; Committee on the Provision for Wear and Tear minutes; financial accounts; map of London Gas Companies' Districts; evidence presented to various Committees including Select Committees; proceedings in Parliament relating to the gas companies; and Gas Light and Coke Company's Acts, Charter and Bye-Laws.

This collection is divided into 3 sections:

1. Local Bye-laws, 1904 - 1913: copies of local bye-laws governing child labour made under the provisions of the Employment of Children Act (1903), which were sent to the Committee by local authorities, including several licences and some correspondence and ephemera.
2. Questionnaires, 1913: responses to the questionnaire entitled 'Employment of Children Inquiry', distributed to every local authority in Britain in 1913.
3. Miscellanea, c1885 - 1914: the bulk of the material collected by the committee for the report on child labour, including correspondence with local government officials, copies of local bye-laws, sample street trading licences and certificates, statistics on street trading, child labour and juvenile crime, and cuttings from local newspapers relating to the regulation of working children.

Citrine's diaries and diary notes, and original shorthand diaries; reference notebooks; correspondence and papers; general files and correspondence relating to the Trades Union Congress; papers relating to the National Coal Board and the Industrial Relations Bill, 1970; material relating to Citrine's honours and eminent contemporaries; press cuttings and printed material; and photographs.

Records of the City Of London Lieutenancy, 1537-1987, including Lieutenancy commissions; lists of Commissioners; copy commissions; papers of the Court of Lieutenancy, including Committee of Lieutenancy minutes and reports; financial accounts; standing orders; attendance books; Court papers and correspondence; minute books of the Committee for Defaulters; enquiries, reports and proposals; Acts of Parliament concerning the Militia; press cuttings; monthly returns of officers, non-commissioned officers, and drummers; papers relating to the lease and use of artillery ground; papers concerning buildings and maintenance, including site plans; military and naval papers; general administrative papers and papers relating to the history of the Lieutenancy.

Records of the City Parochial Foundation comprise minutes of the Central Governing Body and its committees, 1891-1959 (Mss 8965-70); financial records, 1894-1952 (Mss 8972-81, 10897-8, 10902); register of applications for pensions, 1916-46 (Ms 10901); rentals, land valuation papers, insurance registers, 1898-1948 (Mss 10892-6) and deeds, 1308-1955 (Mss 11018-9, 23737-737A).

Also deposited with the records of the Foundation were a few records relating to the London Polytechnic Council. Records comprise minutes 1894-1904 (Ms 8971). Chelsea Physic Garden records comprise minutes 1899-1936 and cash books 1903-53 (Mss 10899-900). People's Palace Theatre records comprise a cash book 1950-53 (Ms 10903).

Records of the Middlesex County Council Civil Defence Department, including general files, 1953-1964, relating to civil defence including planning, guidance, memoranda, reports, background information, general correspondence, correspondence relating to air raid shelters, surveys, conferences and papers on the use of the Civil Defence Corps in peacetime emergencies.

Files on training, 1949-1964, including syllabus and instructor notes for training in handling casualties, rescue, wardens, tactics, evacuation, care of the homeless, billeting, rest centres, operational control, cable laying and communications; orders for training exercises; demonstrations and competitions, and plaques presented to the Middlesex Division Civil Defence Corps for completion of training by the Royal Air Force.

Files on tactical studies, 1953-1962, including London tactical study exercise questions; London Region control and deployment study; papers from a London tactical exercise at Park Royal; and papers from a Middlesex County Council tactical study at Hirst Hall, Wembley including programmes, talks and notes.

This collection consists of items relating to Civil Partnership ceremonies in 2006: photographs, invitations, audio-visual recordings, celebration menus, registration forms, council registrar booklets. It also includes the participants' answers to a questionnaire about their civil partnership. The documented ceremonies and celebrations include those held in Kent (on International Women's Day, 2006); at Bromley Town Hall in Bow; in Hertfordshire and at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London. It also includes one folder of Civil Partnership ephemera.

As at 2008 the collection contains records donated by:

• Sarah Ingle and Carol Goulden

• Jan Pimblett and Meg Davis

• Bridget Leach and Susan Flanagan

• Susan Crane and Karen Newman.

Letter from Richard Cobden to Mrs Drummond, 16 Shamrock Place, Edinburgh, 12 May 1845. Thanking her for a present to his young daughter. Referring to [Thomas Babington] Macaulay, who 'is now I fear a little under the shade, in consequence of his Maynooth vote, with some of his constitutents', and to the bazaar given by the National Anti-Corn Law League at Covent Garden.

Autograph, with signature. With the original envelope (with a decorative border in the form of wheat ears), bearing the seal of the National Anti-Corn Law League.

Letter from Richard Cobden of Manchester to F Buloz, Esq, Paris, 19 Dec 1845. Answering Buloz's request for a collection of the National Anti-Corn Law League's publications for an article in the Revue des Deux Mondes. Cobden explains that 'no complete collection of [tracts, articles, pamphlets and advertisements] has been preserved - Nor has there been any history of the League written in England.' He promises to give full information and 'copies of all our publications which are preserved' to a visitor 'if recommended by you'. He recommends Bastiat's Cobden et la Ligue [printed by Senlis, Paris, 1845]. 'I may also add the Monsr Fonteyrand ... paid us a visit here a few weeks ago to whom I explained the machinery of our organisation ... I am not sure that he would feel at liberty to assist in furnishing an article for your publication - But he is more competent than any other person in France to do it correctly - At all events, I wish you would see him ... and say that I shall be obliged if he will allow you to have access to the publications which I gave him and afford you all facilities in his power for preparing a description of the League ...'.

Autograph, with signature.

Letter from Richard Cobden of Manchester to Mr [?George] Moffatt, 23 Dec 1845. 'Not a word passed between [Earl] Grey and me upon any other subject than corn - I called on him solely for the purpose of urging the Whigs to stick to our principle, and to explain that the League could not swerve a hairs breadth from its path of Total and Immediate to suit any party. This is all that passed - [Viscount] Palmerstons name was of course never mentioned or referred to ... The Whigs are lower than ever by this exhibition of impracticableness at a moment when every other question ought to have been suspended at least till they had dealt some-how or other with that food crisis which alone called them into place and alone warranted them in assuming a power which otherwise they did not possess. At such a time to squabble over seats at the Council board! If I had been Lord John [Russell], history should have rather said of me that I had sent into the parish vestryroom for a dozen select men of the parish to form my cabinet, until I could in my place in Parlt. birng on the total repeal of the corn law, than that I had allowed any two or even twelve men to stop me in my course when once pledged to such an undertaking'.

Autograph, with signature.

Letter from Richard Cobden to R C Chawner, Esq of Wall, near Lichfield, [Staffordshire], 9 Apr [1844]. Asking him to give a 'free trade address from the boards of Covent Garden.'

Autograph, with signature. With the original envelope, bearing the seal of the National Anti-Corn Law League.

Records of the Committee of London Clearing Bankers, later known as the Committee of London and Scottish Bankers, including minute books of various Committees; papers relating to advertising, public relations, exhibitions and shows including photographs; papers relating to the banking information service; papers relating to bank staff associations and employment in banks; statistics; papers relating to banking arrangements for coal, gas, electricity, transport, iron and steel, shipbuilding, agriculture, industry, exports, small firms, students and the disabled; and papers relating to matters concerning banks including income tax, bank taxation, stamp duty, professional secrecy, nationalisation, security and fraud, hours of business, accounting procedures, legislation, investments, foreign currency and debit rates.

Restricted access to later records.

Minute book of the Parliamentary Committtee, Court of Aldermen, 1856.

Records of the Committee of the Whole Court of Aldermen, comprising minute book and papers, 1836 and rough minutes, 1821-1825.

Records of the Court of Common Council, Corporation of London, 1272-2002, including journals, 1416-2000; subject index to journals, 1416-1811; index to the repertories, journals and letter books, 1416-1750; indexed printed minutes, 1811-1965; fair minutes, 1788-1880; rough minutes 1866-1970; Public Health Department journals, 1898-1947; Principal Clerk's rough books, 1875-1916; Town Clerk's rough books, 1954-2002; agendas, 1773-2001 (with gaps); papers (reports, letters and documents laid before the Common Council), 1643-2001 (with gaps); Town Clerk's rough papers, 1956-2000; Acts of the Common Council, 15th century - 1806; standing orders, 1880 and 1941; pocket books (lists of members and officers, committees and other information), 1788-2011; extracts regarding committees of the Common Council, 1400-1732; extracts from letter books regarding the constitution of the Common Council, 1272-1327; other administrative papers relating to the Common Council, including petitions, regulations, powers and so on; papers regarding the election of Common Councilmen, 1536-1964; papers regarding porters, 1606-1860; papers regarding fellowship porters, 1607-1934; papers regarding tackle house and ticket porters, 1607-1823; papers regarding byelaws, 1543-1993; modification orders, 1964-1983; closing orders, 1949-1974; papers relating to tree preservation, 1969-1998; stopping up orders (highways), 1963-2002; stopping up orders (public paths), 1981-2000 and papers relating to town planning, 1972-1996.

NB - 'tackle porters' were responsible for loading and unloading ships and a 'fellowship porter' was a member of the fellowship of the Porters of Billingsgate. 'Ticket porters' were members of a body of porters in the City of London who were licensed by the Corporation; originally called street-porters, and distinct from tackle porters. They were entitled to work in the Corporation markets.

Records of the Affairs of the Corporation Committee, Common Council, 1784-1785, comprising minutes, rough minutes and documents presented to the committee, the second report of the 'Committee to enquire about the assertions of Fidelio [Mr Josiah Dornford] regarding the affairs of the corporation', and correspondence published by Dornford.

Minutes and papers of various small, temporary committees of the Court of Common Council, 1668-1990. The Committees were formed to consider various matters including the election, remuneration and behaviour of officers and staff of the Corporation of London; consideration of the effects of various Parliamentary Acts and Bills; the historical rights and privileges of the City of London; the provision of cemeteries; parishes and benefices; metage, particularly of coal and corn; the reform of the Corporation; markets; building maintenance and preservation; debtors, insolvency and bankruptcy; the Gresham bequest; food imports; transport including railways; presentation of the Freedom to William Pitt; militia; the erection of monuments and statues; the funerals of Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington and Horatio, Viscount Nelson; legacies and bequests; care of orphans; poor relief; estate management; schools and libraries; City finances; water and gas supply; Port of London; sewers; regulation of trade and licensing; street lighting; prisons and compters.

Also papers relating to the general organisation and running of Court of Common Council Committees, including the decision to allow public and press to attend certain committees, 1974; lists of committee Chairmen and members for various years; committee books, 1690-1727 and 1813-1990; bills books, 1873-1884; notes on the historical powers of the Court of Common Council and the Court of Aldermen and notes on the streamlining of committees and administration, 1835-1965.

Records of the County Purposes Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes, 1889-1956; committee papers, 1889-1956; papers regarding the use of inland waterways, 1917-1918; papers relating to the War Charities Act, 1916-1981; list of Chairmen, 1889-1931; list of powers and duties of the Committee, 1931; report books, 1913-1923 and 1941-1947, and solicitors' correspondence, 1890-1891.

Records of the Enquiries into the Constitution of the Corporation Committee, Court of Common Council, including minute books and papers, 1837-1840; minute book and papers, including Police Rate Assessments and returns of wards with lists of municipal election voters, 1852-1853 and minute books and papers, 1856-1861.

Records of the Epping Forest and Open Spaces Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes, 1878-2004; committee papers, 1877-1957; subject files relating to specific developments including Jubilee Retreat, Bury Road, Chingford, Essex, 1941-1949, East Ham Civil Defence Centre, Capel Road, Wanstead Flats (including plans), 1952-1956, Western Sewage Works, Chingford Hatch, 1956 and report of Superintendent regarding Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, 1952; letter books, 1879-2001; reports of the Epping Forest Committee to the Court of Common Council, 1882-1949 and annual reports, 1983-1997. Please note that some of these records are closed.

Records of the General Purposes Committee, Court of Common Council, including journals, 1789-1858; minutes, 1789-1981; rough minutes, 1791-1842; committee papers, 1789-1957; proceedings from various subcommittees including the Compter Committee, By Law Committee, Mansion House Committee, State Coach Committee, Marshale Committee, Blackfriars Bridge Committee, Shop Tax Committee, Court of Requests Committee, and investigations including the Sheriff's Court, regulation of unlicensed Carts, riots at Knightsbridge, regulating elections within the City, conduct of staff and proposal to alter the date of the annual wardmotes, 1777-1924; standing orders, 1826-1841 and summary of powers and duties with a list of Chairmen and standing orders of the Committee, 1880-1920.

Records of the Law, Parliamentary and City Courts Committee, Court of Common Council, including minutes and committee papers, 1856-1956, standing orders, 1856, administrative papers and correspondence, 1846-1930.

Records of the Local Government Taxation Committee comprising minutes, 1866-1897 and committee papers, 1866-1895.

Records relating to the London Militia, including papers of Committee to consider the Militia Acts, 1795-1796; papers of Committee for considering certain matters relative to the City Militia and the Artillery Ground, 1798; papers regarding use of the Artillery Ground, 1799-1800; account of money claimed on each parish for maintenance of wives and families, March 1799; lists of men who never joined or deserted from the East and West Regiments, May 1799; papers regarding raising of men for the Militia and Army of Reserve and offering of bounties, 1800-1804; lists of men enlisted for the East and West Regiments of the London Militia, 1799-1800; papers of Committee for considering certain matters relative to the City Militia, including papers regarding the presentation of Colours to the Loyal London Volunteers and London Militia, 1803-1805 and 1807-1808; Special Militia Committee, including questions proposed to the Commanding Officers of the London Militia with their replies, accounts of Trophy Tax, accounts of the number of men discharged from the two Regiments and of promotions and desertions and returns from the parishes of monies paid to militia men's wives and families, 1810-1814; papers of the Militia Committee, including copy of the Militia Bill (1820), 1817-1828; papers of Special Committee regarding the Trophy Tax and the London Militia, 1831 and 1834; minute books of Special Militia Committee, 1810-1817 and 1820-1821.

The papers include some signed reports of the Committee to the Court of Common Council and also correspondence from the Court of Lieutenancy and up to 1799 from the Honourable Artillery Company enclosing copies of resolutions, reports, proceedings etc. of those bodies.