Inside Hansard
Categories: Pitman
Written By: shorthandworld.co.uk
WHEN it comes to capturing speech, Hansard is synonymous with excellence around the world.
The Department of the Official Report - also known as Hansard - is responsible for producing reports of the proceedings of the main Chamber of the House of Commons, of Westminster Hall and of Standing Committees.
It gets its name from Luke Hansard, who came to London from Norwich and entered the establishment of Hughes, printer to the House, becoming manager in 1774 and sole proprietor in 1798.
Through his son, Thomas, his family have given their name to the reports of debates of legislatures around the Commonwealth.
For decades now, Hansard has provided a clear and independent record of all the proceedings in the Chamber of the House of Commons, Westminster Hall, its Standing Committees and certain Select Committees.
And for many of those years, Hansard’s reporters were known across the globe for having some of the fastest shorthand hands in the business, with speeds of 200wpm plus being the norm.
In recent years, however, the number of Hansard staff capable of high speed shorthand has been on the wane since the service stopped its shorthand training about ten years ago.
Hansard editor Lorraine Sutherland said: “We no longer train people in writing shorthand (having decided about 10 years ago that it was no longer cost-effective to do so), but there are still a few of us “old hands” about who can write high-speed shorthand even if, thankfully, we are rarely called upon to do so nowadays!”
But for those interested in current affairs and with excellent English language skills, an ability in shorthand will never be anything but a bonus if applying for a job with Hansard.
Hansard is an edited verbatim report of proceedings, in which Members’ words are reported in accordance with terms of reference drawn up by a Select Committee in 1907 and reproduced in “Erskine May”, the authoritative source on parliamentary procedure.
They stated that Hansard is:
“a full report, in the first person, of all speakers alike, a full report being defined as one ‘which, though not strictly verbatim, is substantially the verbatim report, with repetitions and redundancies omitted and with obvious mistakes corrected, but which on the other hand leaves out nothing that adds to the meaning of the speech or illustrates the argument.”
Interested in joining the team?
All candidates are sent a written test with their application forms which we use to compile a shortlist.
Those shortlisted have to attend the House for a three-hour test in current affairs/English language use and transcription of a tape of parliamentary proceedings. Those tests are examined, and a final shortlist of candidates are called for interview.
The Department has a range of editorial and administrative. Entry to editorial jobs is at trainee reporter level - current salary range £19,617 to £26,307. Benefits are generous and include: 28 days’ leave plus 8 public holidays, rising to 40 days; gym; a choice of final salary or stakeholder pension; season ticket loans; and child care vouchers.
If you would like any further information about working for Hansard, please contact the Deputy Editor (Committees) on 020 7219 5291 or email fogartyc@parliament.uk.
Find out more at:
http://www.hansard-westminster.co.uk/
