Material for a biography of Robert Edward Dell, 1895-1973, collected by his elder daughter Sylvia Blelloch in the 1960s, notably family correspondence, 1854-1940, mainly between Dell and his wife and daughters; general correspondence to Robert and Sylvia Dell, 1889-1973, with correspondents including Edmund Bishop concerning Catholic affairs, Clifford Sharpe, Dorothy Frances Buxton (wife of Charles Roden Buxton), Joseph Cailleux (French Minister of Finance), Herbert George Wells, Rabbi Stephen Wise (Rabbi of the Free Synagogue, New York), Maxim Litvinov (Soviet Foreign Minister), Edgar Algernon Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, Viscount Cecil of Chelwood (President of the League of Nations Union), and Diana Sheean (wife of James Vincent Sheean); letters and press cuttings relating to the publication of Germany unmasked (Martin Hopkinson, London, 1934) and The Geneva racket, 1920-1939 (Robert Hale, London, 1921), 1934-1973; papers concerning Dell's relations with Anatole France, [1913-1939], including typescript copies and photocopies of correspondence between the two, [1913-1922], material relating to the Cercle Carre, and a typescript of part of 'Anatole France as I knew him' by Dell, [1930-1939]; rough draft of an autobiography by Dell, [1930-1940]; typescript articles by Dell, 1900-1940, mainly concerning European politics following World War One, especially relating to Germany and France, and the build up to World War Two; published pamphlets and articles by Dell, 1899-1940, notably relating to Catholicism, foreign affairs, and the Geneva League Assembly; biographical material relating to Dell, [1950s-1960s], including papers relating to Dell's membership of the Fabian Society, his work as Editor of the Surrey Mirror, his work as a Catholic modernist, as well as photographs, certificates and correspondence of Sylvia Blelloch relating to her research.

Papers of Francis Campbell Ross Douglas, Baron Douglas of Barloch, [1925]-1980, notably correspondence with politicians, public servants and others, 1937-1977, including (Edward) Hugh (John Neale) Dalton, Frederick James Marquis, 1st Earl of Woolton, and Quintin McGarel Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone, on subjects including the pasteurisation of milk, adulteration of food, fluoridation, the Solicitors' Bill of 1941, and his deputy speakership of the House of Lords; correspondence and papers concerning the case of JJ Scorey, newspaper editor, Malta, 1949; correspondence with Sir Emmanuel Kaye, 1963-1979, relating to fluoridation; miscellaneous personal papers, 1888-1980, including marriage certificates, Christmas cards, account books and press cuttings relating to the North Battersea election in 1940; letters of condolence to Adela Elizabeth Douglas, Lady Douglas, on the death of her husband, 1980; a typescript history of Maxfield Manor, the Douglas' home in Sussex, with related papers; printed volumes containing economic and social surveys of Germany, made by the Foreign Office and Ministry of Economic Warfare, 1944-1945; printed pamphlets and speeches by Douglas, 1929-[1977]; photographs and press cuttings relating to Malta, [1946-1949]; photographs of the Douglas family, [1925-1970].

Papers of the Rt Hon Evan Frank Mottram Durbin, 1918-1948, comprising lectures and notes on miscellaneous subjects, 1935-1944, including English politics, socialism, social history, peace and war, Russia, sociology and economics; secondary historical material, 1931-1944, namely working and research notes by Durbin; correspondence collected by Elisabeth Durbin from his papers and correspondents, 1928-1961, including Reginald Bassett, Sir (Henry) Roy (Forbes) Harrod, John Maynard Keynes, the Rt Hon Hugh Todd Naylor Gaitskell, the Rt Hon Clement Richard Attlee, (Edward) Hugh (John Neale) Dalton, Baron Dalton, and the Rt Hon Sir (Richard) Stafford Cripps, as well as papers and correspondence relating to his political work, his election as an MP, and his appointment to the Ministry of Works; material relating to monetary and trade cycle theory, 1935-1948, mainly comprising lecture notes on economics, psychology, causes of war, political theory, and general politics, with associated correspondence; galley proofs of articles by Durbin on economics, 1935-1946, with royalty statements, 1940-1946; copies of The Times relating to the Colonial Education Committee, 1945; working materials, drafts and transcripts of 'The economics of democratic society' by Durbin, 1942-1943; press cuttings of reviews of published works, 1932-1942; papers relating to Oxford University, 1918-1940, mainly comprising notes, essays, letters and examination papers; drafts and manuscripts of Purchasing power and trade depression: a critique of under-consumption theories (Jonathan Cape, London and Toronto, 1933); material relating to Taunton School, 1918-1939, including school exercise books, correspondence and notes; notes, research and texts for lectures on economics, [1938-1947], notably monetary theory, economic history, industrial fluctuations, taxation and land tenure; drafts and notes for research articles, mainly unpublished, [1937-1939]; personal financial material, 1935-1948.

This collection consists of material relating to the principle functions of the Fabian Society. It includes correspondence; early papers and memorials; minutes and papers of the executive committee, the finance and general purposes committee and the home research committee; and material relating to lectures, publications, local societies, schools and conferences, groups and bureaux of the society, relations with the Labour Party, conferences, biographies of early members, and information gathered on electoral constituencies and issues in local government.

Political papers of Andrew Matthew William Faulds, [1965-1997], mainly relating to his career as Labour MP for Smethwick (1966-1974) and Warley East (1974-1997). Comprises files relating to Parliamentary and constituency matters, foreign affairs, and the arts. There are also a number of audiotapes of Faulds' speeches, mostly in the House of Commons and the Council of Europe.

Comprises material concerning Finsberg's work for his constituency, as a local councillor and for the Hampstead area in general; papers relating to his work for London, as a Parliamentary politician and with the Conservative Party; papers concerning the Council of Europe and the Western European Union; general correspondence, photographs and family papers. Also includes some papers of his wife Lady Pamela Finsberg, and of the Hampstead and Highgate Conservative Association and the Young Conservatives.

Papers of and relating to Sir John Fischer Williams, 1913-1923, notably originals, copies and transcripts of correspondence with Leonard Henry and Catherine Courtney, 1st Baron and Baroness Courtney of Penwith, mainly relating to Williams' role as British Legal Representative on the Reparations Commission in Paris, and the negotiations between France, Germany and Great Britain; a typescript by David Francis Hubbock based on the Williams correspondence entitled 'Letters from Paris: Reparations and the Ruhr crisis of 1923', [1947-1990]; a photocopy of diary notes kept by Williams on the Reparations Commission, 1920; photocopy of notes on Lord Courtney by (Martha) Beatrice Webb, 1918; copies of photographs of Lady Courtney and the Legal Committee of the Reparations Commission, taken at the Hotel Astoria in Paris, 1920s; a list of publications by Williams.

Political papers of Baron Fletcher, including correspondence, subject files and constituency files. Includes papers regarding the Home Office Advisory Committee on House to House Collections, 1938-1943; London County Council, 1945-50; the General Elections of 1945 and 1966; the 1952 budget; and correspondence regarding Fletcher's role as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Ways and Means (House of Commons).

Papers of Professor Ernest André Gellner, [1946]-1996, notably correspondence with friends and colleagues, [1946-1995], including Professor Sir Isaiah Berlin, Professor (Avram) Noam Chomsky, Professor Bernard Rowland Crick, Professor John Horsley Russell Davis, Professor Ralf Dahrendorf, Baron Dahrendorf of Clare Market, Professor Sir Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard, Professor Sir Raymond (William) Firth, Professor (Walter) Bryce Gallie, Sir Victor Gollancz, Professor John Rankine (Jack) Goody, Professor Richard Mervyn Hare, Professor Sir Edmund Ronald Leach, Professor Claude Lévi-Strauss, Anne Mary Lonsdale, Professor Alan Donald James Macfarlane, (Jean) Iris Murdoch, Professor Sir Karl (Raimund) Popper, Professor Hugh Redwald Trevor-Roper, Baron Dacre of Glanton, Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, Professor Gilbert Ryle, Professor Edward W Said, Charles Percy Snow, Baron Snow, George Soros, Professor Alfred Stepan, Professor (Ann) Marilyn Strathern, and Professor Sir Bernard Arthur Owen Williams; material relating to Gellner's teaching work at the London School of Economics and Cambridge University, 1977-1989, including individual files relating to his PhD students, 1977-1984, and correspondence with Macfarlane regarding the administration of the Anthropology Department at Cambridge, 1988-1989; papers created during Gellner's time as Director of the Centre for the Study of Nationalism at the central European University, 1992-1996, notably correspondence with students, material relating to conferences, Senate papers, documents concerning the financial future of the Centre, details of project funding and grant proposals, and correspondence relating to the Erasmus Chair at Warsaw University; material relating to field trips to Morocco, [1950-1968], probably in connection with Gellner's PhD thesis, including maps, manuscripts, correspondence, field notes, research notes, reports and photographs; manuscripts, 1957-1995, some with corrections, of Gellner's published books and articles, as well as unpublished material, on subjects including anthropology, Islam, social science, nationalism, politics and religion, imperialism, Marxism, the London School of Economics, philosophy, history, culture, psychoanalysis, Eastern Europe, and Russia; offprints and newspaper cuttings of reviews of Gellner's work, 1957-1995, and reviews written by Gellner concerning the work of others, 1960-1995; papers relating to the publishing of books, [1957-1996], including proofs, contracts with publishers, and correspondence; tapes and films, 1982-1990, mainly comprising lectures on philosophy by Gellner; obituaries and papers relating to the memorial service in Prague, 1995.

Papers of General Election 2001, contain election addresses and ephemera collected during the 2001 General election campaign and County Council elections.

General Election 2005 ephemera collection, 2005, comprises campaign literature and publicity material produced by candidates in the 2005 General Election.

Papers relating to Dianne Hayter's involvement with the Fabian Society, 1977-1998, including agendas and minutes of the Executive Committee, Research and Publications Committee, Conferences and Political Activities Committee and the Annual General Meeting, 1987-1993; correspondence concerning the Fabian financial crisis and SDP split, 1981-1982; agenda and minutes of the Executive Committee and related correspondence, 1986-1987; agendas and minutes of the Finances and General Purposes Committee, Research and Publications Committee, 1992-1998; correspondence concerning the "Fabian Appeal", 1992-1996; correspondence concerning appointment of the General Secretary, 1993; correspondence concerning the Fabian Archer Committee, 1992-1993; Dulwich discussion documents (papers provided as a basis for debate by members of the Dulwich Fabian Society), 1980s.

Papers of Peter Tatchell, 1966-2007, including press cuttings, articles [by Tatchell] and letters to the press, 1984-[2000], on subjects including government policy on AIDS, lesbian and gay equality, ethnic minorities, green socialism, European strategies for socialism, South Africa, the Church of England, Clause 28, relations between the police and the gay community, and papers relating to Stonewall, OutRage! and Act Up; material relating to campaigns and protests, 1983-[2000], notably the Bermondsey by-election of 1983, AIDS research, lesbian and gay rights in Europe and South Africa, gays and the military, the homosexual age of consent, psychiatric treatment of lesbians, gays and bisexuals, gay marriage, Clause 28, Labour Party policy on gay rights, homophobic violence, and Tatchell's trial at Canterbury Magistrates Court following OutRage!'s Easter Sunday protest in 1998; writings, interviews, press cuttings, texts of speeches and correspondence relating to Tatchell's activism, 1971-2007, especially relating to his work for gay rights.

Papers of Jean Henderson, 1916-1993, notably material concerning her work as the prospective Liberal parliamentary candidate for St Albans, 1936-1942, including correspondence, circulars, speech notes and flyers; material relating to general election campaigns in which Henderson stood as the Liberal candidate for, successively, Barnet, Lincoln, and Luton, 1945, and 1949-1959, mainly comprising correspondence, speech notes, election ephemera and press cuttings; notes and press cuttings, [1930]-1979, covering a range of political issues and compiled by Henderson for use in speeches; papers relating to the Women's Liberal Federation, 1936-1975; papers relating to the Hendon Liberal Party, [1930]-1989, including material on local elections; Liberal party literature, 1927-1959, including pamphlets on political subjects and material concerning the Beveridge Report; papers of the Gladstone Benevolent Fund for Liberal Agents, 1972-1988, mainly comprising agendas and minutes; Liberal Party manifestos and circulars dealing with the Liberal alliance with the Democrats, 1988-1992, and Henderson's notes on the subject; material relating to the legal career of Jean Henderson, [1938-1993], including notebooks, speech notes, legal papers, fee books and correspondence.

Papers of Charles Rider Hobson, c1922-c1946, comprise personal correspondence.

The papers of the International Marxist Group consist mainly of conference papers for the World Congress of the Fourth International, and discussion documents regarding industrial relations, Labour Government policy, and ways in which the group planned to further their aims within the class struggle. The collection also includes publications from various trade unions and the Trades Union Congress concerning unemployment, industrial relations, and legislation affecting unions; pamphlets and information sheets opposing the presence of the British in Northern Ireland including issues of An Phoblacht (Republican News); and issues of Red Camden (the newsletter of the movement known as the Vietnam Solidarity Campaign to 1970, and Camden Movement for Peoples Power thereafter), and pamphlets on abortion issues, women's right to work, Labour Party reform and the Iranian revolution.

Papers of Lena May Jeger, 1943-2004, mainly correspondence, reports, briefings, speeches, photographs and other papers relating to her work as a local councillor, MP and member of the House of Lords. Also includes draft articles, correspondence and other papers relating to her time as a journalist.

Papers of Professor Paul Joyce, 1997-1998, include minutes, financial papers, newsletters and publications relating to the User-Led Innovation in Local Government research project.

Lansbury's personal and political correspondence; correspondence between Lansbury's biographer, Raymond Postgate, and others after his death; correspondence and papers on subjects of interest to Lansbury, including schools, the Labour Party, unemployment, agriculture, India, the 1931 Cabinet Crisis, and the Metropolitan Police; photographs, personal and official, and caricatures from the press; press reviews of Lansbury's published works; printed matter, including articles, pamphlets, speeches and leaflets by or concerning Lansbury, election addresses, and personal ephemera. Volumes 1 - 26 consist of the personal and political correspondence and papers used by Lansbury's son-in-law, Raymond Postgate, in researching The Life of George Lansbury, published in 1951. These papers were presented to the British Library of Political and Economic Science by Professor Postgate in 1950. Volumes 27 - 30 were added to the collection some time later, and volume 31 consists of three files of personal correspondence which were added to the collection in 1994 and one file found in 1999.

Papers of Labour Campaign for Criminal Justice, 1985-1999, include minutes, financial papers, newsletters and publications.

Records of the Liberal Democratic Party, [1930]-2000, including material relating to Liberal Democrat policy, [1970-1997], notably consultation papers, correspondence, policy briefings and minutes and papers of Green Papers Working Groups on topics such as the economy, tax and benefits, the environment, East-West relations, education, rural affairs, transport, crime and policing, local government, health, housing, disability, ethnic minorities and employment; bulletins, pamphlets publications produced by the Liberal Democrats, the SDP and the Liberal/SDP Alliance, [1980-1994]; election material, 1978-1995, such as manifestos, campaign papers and articles, including papers relating to the 1992 General Election and the 1994 European election; material relating to conferences, 1994-1995; papers concerning the Federal Party, 1988-1999, notably candidate manifestos produced for the 1999 Federal elections, and minutes of the Federal Policy Committee; printed material, [1985-2000], including conference reports, newsletters, leaflets and handbooks; later material regarding the Liberal Democrat leadership campaign, elections for Mayor of London and the London Assembly, and papers of the Defend Council Housing Campaign, 1994-2000.

Records of the Liberal Party, 1901-1988, notably minutes and working papers of the National Executive Committee, 1954-1987; papers of the Liberal Party Organisation, 1940-1988, including minutes, 1958-1979, bulletins, 1940-1943, correspondence, 1938-1987, working and administrative papers; papers of the Party Council, 1970-1987, including working papers, correspondence and publications; minutes, working papers and correspondence of the Standing Committee, later the Policy Committee, 1960-1987; material created by Central Committees, 1936-1987, including the Organising Committee, 1961-1965, the Constitutional Review Committee, 1936-1987, the Publicity Sub-Committee, 1980-1983, the Officer's Committee, 1975-1977, the Corporate Appeals Committee, 1977-1979, the Candidates Committee, 1973-1987, the Membership Committee, 1983-1987, and the Campaigns and Elections Committee, 1965-1987; Annual Reports and Accounts, 1934-1987; financial material, 1963-1987, including minutes and correspondence of the Finance and Administration Board, and papers relating to fundraising; papers relating to Liberal Assemblies, 1912-1987, notably agendas, organisational papers, resolutions, press releases and correspondence; material concerning General Elections (fought by the Liberal Party and the Alliance), 1945-1987, including leaflets and publicity, manifestos, press cuttings, lists of candidates, results and statistics, broadcast transcripts and electoral addresses; material concerning by-elections, 1957-1986, comprising press cuttings, leaflets, and speeches; papers relating to the Liberal Party and Europe, 1976-1987, notably copies of European International, minutes and papers of the Liberal European Action Group, material concerning the European Liberals and Democrats, and papers relating to European elections; transcripts of party political broadcasts from various British political parties, 1981-1988; press cuttings and releases of the party, 1924-1936 and 1960-1987, also relating to Jeremy Thorpe, David Steel and the Liberal/SDP Alliance; material relating to publications, 1901-1993, including Liberator, Liberal News and Hedben Royd Publications; various handbooks for Liberal candidates, speakers and election agents, 1929-1974; Liberal Party policy summaries, 1918-1985, on subjects including agriculture, animal welfare, civil liberties, crime, defence, education, electoral reform, employment, energy, Europe, finance, foreign affairs, health, housing, industry, the Labour Party, media, Northern Ireland, race relations, regional policy, trade, transport, and the welfare state; papers relating to the regional organisation of the Liberal Party, 1963-1987, including party regional reports, publicity, correspondence, constituency surveys, administrative records, manifestos, and area agents' reports and correspondence; papers of Liberal organisations, 1951-1987, notably the Alliance Action Group for Electoral Reform, the Association of Liberal Councillors, the Labour Unit, Liberal International, the Liberal Parliamentary Association, the National League of Young Liberals, the National Liberal Club, the Scottish Liberal Party, the Ulster Liberal Party, and the Women's Liberal Foundation; material relating to the Lib-Lab Pact, 1977-1978, including press releases and correspondence; papers concerning the Social Democratic Party (SDP), 1985-1987, comprising correspondence, publications, press releases and cuttings; material concerning the Liberal/SDP Alliance, 1969-1989, notably papers of the Joint Campaign Group, the Alliance Campaign Group and the Joint Priorities Group, papers relating to finance, funding, selection of candidates, and seat negotiations, as well as publications, press releases, campaign working papers and administrative material; videocassettes, [1970]-1987, mainly of party political broadcasts, Liberal Assemblies and media coverage of elections.

Papers of the Liberal Party from their re-launch in 1989 onwards, mainly NEC minutes, press releases, leaflets and other publications, policy documents, assembly papers, regional reports, reports for the National Union of Liberal Clubs, election ephemera and copies of Liberal News.

Correspondence and papers of Lord David Lawrence Lipsey, 1999-2006, mainly relating to his work as special adviser to Anthony Crosland; the Jenkins Committee on Electoral Reform; the Royal Commission on the Long Term Care of the Elderly; Labour Initiative on Cooperation (LINC) International Monetary Fund and the proposed abolition of the Horserace Totalisator Board and the sale of its assets. A cd contains: articles for a number of journals, 2004-2006; communications, 2004-2006; House of Lords papers, 2000-2006; BBC papers, 1999; Lifepoints project, 1999-2000; Make Votes Count campaign, 2000-2006; Social Market Foundation, 2001-2006, Totel, 2002-2006.

Video tapes of news and current affairs programmes aired on BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky during the 1992 General Election, 10 March-8 April 1992. A daily log provides access to the material and details of programmes taped, which include news reports, special election broadcasts and political press conferences.

Papers relating to Lord Merlyn-Rees' political career, 1949-2002, concerning his role as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Among the papers are: transcripts of Merlyn Rees' taped diary, 1972-1976. These are a very useful insight into Rees' contemporary views on politics and events in Northern Ireland. Included are accounts of: the Ulster Workers' Strike; the collapse of the power sharing executive; the Constitutional Convention; meetings with politicians; parliamentary proceedings; and, security matters such as internment and special category status for paramilitary prisoners. The diaries also contain comments on UK politics generally (MERLYN-REES/1); articles, lectures and speeches by Lord Merlyn-Rees, 1965-2002, including speeches made while he was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Home Secretary (MERLYN-REES/2); drafts of 'Northern Ireland: a personal perspective' (MERLYN-REES/3); correspondence, timetables and other papers regarding visits to Northern Ireland by Merlyn Rees and Colleen Rees, mainly 1972-1976 (MERLYN-REES/4); official papers, mainly 1974-1976 (MERLYN-REES/5); Northern Ireland Office press notices, 1974-1976 (MERLYN-REES/6); correspondence files, 1971-1997 (MERLYN-REES/7); subject files relating to Northern Ireland, including correspondence, official memoranda (including memos from Roger Darlington, political adviser/researcher), articles, press cuttings and other papers. These have been arranged by the archivist in a number of series: legislation (MERLYN-REES/8); media (MERLYN-REES/9); political (MERLYN-REES/10); religion, culture and parades (MERLYN-REES/11); security (MERLYN-REES/12); social and economic (MERLYN-REES/13); organisations (MERLYN-REES/14); people (MERLYN-REES/15); general (MERLYN-REES/16); papers regarding the campaign for the release of the Guildford Four and Maguire Seven, and papers regarding the Birmingham Six case (MERLYN-REES/17); papers regarding allegations of a 'dirty tricks' campaign by elements of the security forces during the 1970s. Merlyn Rees was one of the people who was smeared during the campaign (MERLYN-REES/18); subject files (except Northern Ireland), including papers on crime, the Falklands War, media, the miners' strike and policing (MERLYN-REES/19); photographs (MERLYN-REES/20).

Records of the Merton and Morden Labour Party, 1926-1970, including minutes of the General and Executive Committees, the General Management Committee and the Annual General Meetings, 1936-1970; minutes of the Merton and Morden Young Socialists, 1959-1965; minutes of the Morden Ward, 1926-1966, and the Morden Ward Women's Section, 1947-1967; minutes of the Merton Group, 1933-1935; minutes of the Ravensbury and St Helier Ward Women's Section, 1948-1952; various publications, notably the Merton and Morden weekly tote, lottery and bulletin, 1957-1970, copies of The Argus, the Journal of the Merton and Morden Labour Party, 1952-1961, Labour Party General Election literature, 1964-1970, Local Election literature, 1934-1956, and press cuttings, 1960-1968.

Correspondence of John Stuart Mill; correspondence of Helen Taylor concerning the publication and translation of John Stuart Mill's works and correspondence, the Moral Reform Union, women's suffrage, the social position and education of women, the London School Board and education, literary work, the land question, political questions, Irish affairs, miscellaneous public interests, and private correspondence; letters of appreciation and criticism of John Stuart Mill's work and character, and of sympathy on his death; other miscellaneous letters concerning John Stuart Mill; additional correspondence of John Stuart Mill; correspondence of Harriet Taylor and other members of the Taylor family; material relating to honorary degrees, society memberships, etc. conferred on John Stuart Mill; note books, etc. of John Stuart Mill, including botanical notebooks; writings by Helen Taylor, including "Limits of Local Government", "Municipal Vote etc", and her diaries; letters, speeches and articles by and concerning John Stuart Mill, extracted from newspapers and periodicals; miscellaneous papers of John Stuart Mill, Helen Taylor, Harriet Taylor, and others; and photographs and press cuttings.

Papers of Alfred Morris, Baron Morris of Manchester and Labour politician, 1965-1997. Comprises material relating to Morris' work for disabled people; papers relating to Morris' wider work as a Member of Parliament and to his Wythenshawe Constituency and Manchester; papers concerning Labour Party issues, the Co-operative movement and other organisations and institutions.

Minute Books, constituency papers, leaflets and other election ephemera from London County Council and Parliamentary elections, papers of Ray Roberts, the Party agent, 1920-1955.

Papers created by or collected by Michael Oakeshott, c1880-c1995, notably include manuscripts of both published and unpublished works; notebooks and notes; personal correspondence with colleagues and family; press cuttings; administrative papers relating to his education and career. Also include papers relating to Oakeshott collected or created by Shirley Letwin and others, including research papers for Shirley Letwin's proposed biography of Oakeshott.

Political papers of Stanley Orme, 1974-2004, comprise papers relating to his work as a government minister in the Northern Ireland Office and subsequently the Department for Health and Social Security (1974-1979), Labour Party Opposition Spokesman on Trade and Industry (1979-1983), Energy (1983-1987), and Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party (1987-1992). Papers from Orme's period in the Northern Ireland Office are related mainly to his work on industrial democracy in Harland and Wolff shipyard, and also contains reports of visits to USA to meet politicians to discuss Northern Ireland politics. Section 2 contains many articles and speeches by Orme relating to health and social security. Section 3 consists mainly in correspondence, and includes discussions of industrial policy and unemployment. Orme's role as Opposition Spokesman on Energy has been divided into two sections. Section 4 covers the general policy area of energy, dealing with such issues as fuel poverty, nuclear power, and industrial relations in the energy sector, whilst Section 5 is devoted to the significant amount of material relating to the 1984-1985 miners' strike. Section 6 contains material from Orme's Chairmanship of the Parliamentary Labour Party, and Section 7 contains articles and speeches written throughout Orme's career.

The Parker Papers, 1943-1982, mainly consist of comments, corrections and suggestions from those to whom John Parker sent the first thoughts of the various chapters which would eventually form the basis of his memoirs, Father of the House, published in 1982 by Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd. They also include various official related records concerned with particularly interesting or important moments from his political career. They consist mainly of correspondence, memorandums, reports and notes. These papers were all deposited upon the publication of his, previously mentioned, book of memoirs.

The collection consists of six separate series of records, ranging virtually the entire span of his time in the House of Commons. The six series reflect the way in which John Parker maintained his papers, each concerning a specific topic. These include records concerning his various literary compositions, the Legitimacy Act of 1959, Select Committee on Procedure, Speaker's Conference on Electoral Law and Sunday Observance.

Papers of the Political Economy Club, include minute book, 1821-1824, with loose handwritten minutes by James Mill, 1821; minute book 1911-1919; membership records, c 1920s-1960s; nominations book, 1917-1927; Sydney Caine's files as secretary, 1958-1968; secretary's files, 1927-1929, 1966, 1969 and 1973-1976; typescript copies of speeches, correspondence and other documents relating to the Political Economy Club, 1883-1897; treasurer's files, 1959-1965, 1967-1984 and 1985-1989; bank correspondence, 1975-1988; accounts and balance sheets, 1927-1949; correspondence relating to printing, 1977-1979; correspondence files, 1914-1951; lists of members, 1977-1985; bank book, 1924-1932; membership subscription papers, 1966-1967; minutes of centenary meeting, 1921; rules, 1917-1976, with printed membership lists, notices of membership nominations and ephemera; correspondence, c1830s; printed volumes relating to the Club's history

The papers of Raymond Postgate, 1830-2000, contain mainly administrative and personal correspondence which are catalogued as correspondence and subject files. Six further sections contain personal papers, Postgate's papers in relation to World War One, his writing research notes and drafts, his work with the Good Food Club and wine writing, and research papers relevant to a biography of his life. There is a large separate section for photographs, many of which are of the Postgate and Lansbury families. The collection also includes four individual sections of letters and papers belonging to George Lansbury, Daisy Postgate, Nellie Lansbury and Helen Hibberd.

Political papers and correspondence regarding Reginald Prentice's de-selection by his Newham North East constituency, the 1976 Labour Party conference on Blackpool, his defection to the Conservative Party and general political activities.

Papers of the Political Studies Association, 1950-1983, including minutes of the PSA, 1950-1981; conference papers, 1952-1981, including material on organisation; Chairman's correspondence, 1965-1968; Treasurer's correspondence, 1965-1968; correspondence and papers concerning the editing of Political Studies, 1965-1966; correspondence of the Executive Committee, 1965-1968, the Fulton Committee, 1966, and the Social Science Research (Heyworth) Committee, 1963-1964; correspondence of the Comparative Politics Group, 1967-1970; papers and correspondence with Oxford University Press, 1965-1968; membership letters, 1961-1975; material concerning the International Political Studies Association, 1963-1968.

Letters by Thornely to his fellow MP for Wolverhampton, Charles Pelham Villiers (1802-1898) including some letters by Villiers, bound typescript transcript. Also includes a letter from Thornely to his father announcing his election, 10 Jan 1835, a brief biography of Thornely, and photographs of both Villiers and Thornely.

The collection of the politician Neville Sandelson, 1923-1996, includes a series of scrapbooks of press cuttings covering Sandelson's period as an MP, files relating to the Hayes and Harlington constituency, and papers on the Labour Party and the SDP. Sandelson took a keen interest in foreign affairs, and there are files on the Middle East, Afghanistan, Gibraltar and Northern Ireland. There is also an extensive collection of photographs documenting his political life.

Papers of Beatrice Nancy Seear, Baroness Seear of Paddington, [1930]-1997, mainly comprising case studies, reports and memoranda relating to her work with the Runnymeade Industrial Unit, the London Business School Minority Groups, and the Community Relations Commission, as well as material concerning women's employment.

Papers of Beatrice Serota, 1953-2002, relate to her work in London local government, as a Minister of State, member of the House of Lords and of a number of advisory bodies and committees, including the Advisory Council on the Penal System and the Commission on Local Administration. Includes correspondence, reports, publications, notes, speeches and other papers.

Papers relating to Robert Sheldon's chairmanship of the Committee of Public Accounts, 1964-1997, including Chairmen's files, Committee of Public Accounts and National Audit Office reports, Treasury minutes and correspondence.

Political papers of Lord Shore including material relating to the governments of Harold Wilson and James Callaghan, Labour Party politics, opposition to Europe and the single currency and papers relating to constituency affairs.

Scrapbook containing ephemera relating to elections in Northumberland and Durham, 1820-1832, including posters, portraits, handouts and song sheets.

Ephemera relating to the Northumberland election of 1826, including journals, handouts, posters, press cuttings and song sheets.

Papers of David Martin Scott Steel, Baron Steel of Aikwood, 1966-1999, including correspondence, 1976-1999, relating to his role as Liberal Party leader, Liberal Party funding and party political broadcasts, European monetary union and foreign affairs; material concerning elections, 1975-1987, notably correspondence and reports by the Joseph Rowntree Social Services Trust Ltd on tactical seats and seat assessments, papers of the General Election Committee concerning policy and election strategy, and correspondence and publications relating to by-elections; papers relating to the Lib-Lab Pact, 1977-1978, including notes on shadow administration committees and correspondence with Labour politicians; material concerning the Liberal/SDP Alliance, 1982-1988, including minutes and working papers of the Joint Leaders Advisory Committee, the Alliance Planning Group and the Alliance Strategy Committee, correspondence concerning the Alliance defence policy and the Alliance Fund; papers concerning the Liberal Party and SDP merger, 1987-1988, notably general correspondence and memoranda concerning the merger negotiations, and media coverage; constituency (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) correspondence and casework, 1971-1994; subject files, 1986-1995,comprising correspondence and papers on subjects including agriculture, defence, environment, housing, health, education, transport and Scottish home affairs; general party papers, 1970-1993, relating to party policy, election campaigns and conferences; correspondence and papers regarding foreign affairs c1989-1999, including papers regarding democratic elections, government and human rights in Malawi 1991-1999 and Kenya 1992-1997; desk diaries, 1966-1998; papers concerning Liberal International meetings, 1981-1995; correspondence and papers relating to EDLR meetings 1982-1992; papers regarding Scottish home rule, including the work of the Scottish Constitutional Convention 1969-1994; membership of organisations and charities 1978-1994; audiotapes and videotapes with appearances by Steel c1978-1999; and speeches, articles and press releases (1974-1993).

This collection contains Betacam cassettes of interviews and transcripts of interviews with leading political figures and members of the public from Margaret Thatcher's Premiership, 1979-1990. The subject matter ranges from issues of social history during the 1980s to ideological commentary on the nature of Thatcherism. The interviews also cover the impact of Thatcherism after Mrs Thatcher's departure from office.

This collection contains betacam videotapes and transcripts of interviews with leading political figures and members of the public during the 1970s and broadcast as the documentary 'The Writing on the Wall'. The collection covers many areas of political and social history during the period, most notably trade unionism and industrial relations.

Papers of the Tory Reform Group, 1970-2006, including correspondence, minutes of meetings, financial papers, membership records and files regarding events and seminars. Subjects covered include economics, the environment, social policy and Europe (including papers regarding the Single Currency/Euro). The collection also contains papers of PEST - Pressure for Economic and Social Toryism (TRG/1), Parliamentary Mainstream and Conservative Mainstream (TRG/3), and the Macleod Group of Conservative MPs (TRG/4).

Papers of David Vasmer, 1971-2001, comprise papers regarding the Liberal Party and the Liberal Democrats, including documents relating to the merger, conference papers and publications. There are also files relating to the ALC (Association of Liberal Councillors), ASLDC (Association of Social and Liberal Democrat Councillors) and ALDC (Assocation of Liberal Democrat Councillors), including annual reports, minutes, artwork, and publications (such as circulars, leaflets and guides).