The Parliamentary Papers Act 1840 (3 & 4 Vict.

The Act was passed in response to the case of Stockdale v Hansard where it was held that the House of Commons enjoyed no privilege as to publications under its authority circulated beyond Members of Parliament.

The Act provides that: Publication for circulation among Members of Parliament is protected by absolute privilege under common law.

[2] The Act received royal assent on 14 April 1840.

As such, it is a precedent showing that Parliament has sovereignty over the past as well as the future.