Polytechnic Parliament

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 1753 PPA
Held at	: University of Westminster   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://westminster-atom.arkivum.net/index.php/ ›
Full title	: Polytechnic Parliament
Date(s)	: 1883-1970
Level of description	: Collection (fonds)
Extent	: 6 boxes
Name of creator(s)	: Polytechnic Parliament
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

Regent Street Polytechnic, founded by Quintin Hogg as the Youth's Christian Institute, encompassed members who were not students, but were involved in recreational activities via a large number of clubs. The Polytechnic Parliament, established in 1883, was a debating society whose members examined contemporary issues. It was perhaps the oldest model parliament in the country. There was an increasing division between the educational side of the Polytechnic, which dealt with students and the organisation of classes, and the Polytechnic Institute, which catered for members of the social and sporting clubs. The Institute was eventually to decline, particularly after Regent Street Polytechnic became the Polytechnic of Central London in 1970. The Polytechnic Parliament was wound up in 1970.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Polytechnic Parliament, 1883-1970, comprising minutes recording the business of the Council which administered the society's affairs, 1883-1916, 1920-1965, 1970; minutes for sittings of the parliament, 1892-1915, 1920-1964; constituency books, 1883, 1930s; motion books, 1884-1915, 1923-1926; members' address book, 1890s; file of typescript orders and rules, 1933; file re amendments, 1930s; Conservative party records, 1930s; attendance books, 1934-1960s; printed constitution, 1948; report to Development Committee and related papers, 1954; subscription book, 1950s-1960s; undated standing orders and rules; two undated photographs, including Polytechnic Parliament in session in Fyvie Hall (in no 309 Regent Street).

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

Open, subject to signing the Regulations for Access form.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies may be supplied, for research use only, unless copyright restrictions apply or the item is too fragile to be copied. Requests to publish original material should be addressed to the University Archivist.

Finding aids:

Typescript handlist.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Created by the Polytechnic Parliament.

Allied Materials

Related material:

The draft rules of the Polytechnic Parliament were published in Home Tidings, Apr 1883, p 80, and its debates were subsequently reported there and, from 1888, in its successor The Polytechnic Magazine. The University of Westminster Archives also holds records of other Polytechnic clubs.

National Register of Archives: Click here to view NRA record

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Rachel Kemsley as part of the RSLP AIM25 project.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Jan 2002